Superstar Treatment

Ever hear analysts on television, radio, or print talk about “superstar treatment”? Ever wonder what it is exactly? Well here is my Superstar Treatment for Dummies Article! Superstar treatment, in its simplest form, can be defined as special treatment or calls that a player receives from referees during a game. This doesn’t apply to everyone though. It only applies to superstars or the best players in a league. Not every superstar receives superstar treatment either. It’s really just a term the media likes to use when they disagree with calls that referees make during games. It does hold some merit though. The best players or superstars are supposed to be and assumed to be better than everyone else. When they don’t make routine or even difficult plays referees will occasionally give them calls. Let me use a fake basketball scene for you in order to illustrate my point.

Player A drives to the basket and takes a shot. He is lightly touched while he is in the process of shooting. He misses the shot. That touching may or may not have made him miss the shot. There is no way of knowing, but most would agree no foul should be called. The nearest referee calls a personal foul anyways. What was he thinking?
Referee A (“I’ve seen Player A make that shot a thousand times. He’s the best player in the league. How did he miss that? That light touch had to be the reason. I’m calling this!”)
Referee A blows his whistle and Player A shoots two free throws. This goes on all game long.

Referees may also give superstar treatment, because, as humans, they can subconsciously be influenced by different variables. Playing at home, being the favorite, being the underdog, having a great game, having a bad game, having a history with an official and of course, being a superstar are just some of the reasons players receive special treatment. Is this fair or foul though? I think it’s definitely foul! Every game and every player should receive the same kinds of calls from officials. No one deserves special treatment.