Yes. The games are rigged, no doubt, but it’s most likely done through the referees on select calls.

Some players may be in on it, but even as someone who’s known the games are rigged for many years, it’d surprise me if the league as a whole was rigged - I.e. “everyone who steps on the field is read-in.” Too many points of failure. Rigging is done, and almost has to be done, through influence, not full scripting.

You can’t script a ball going through the hoop, or a quarterback making an accurate throw, or a receiver making a catch.

Now, a critical defender “forgetting” to play defense or being told to hold strong to an incorrect play? That’s plausible. LeBron just quitting all effort during the finals? That’s plausible, if not likely, given what we know about him.

That said, football is a great opportunity to have heavier scripting since they all have helmets and could theoretically all have built-in headsets, but if they did - nobody ever spills the beans on that? By rule, only one player on the field is allowed to have a speaker to hear the coach; typically a lineman or the QB, depending on offense or defense. Speakered players have green dots on the backs of their helmets.

(Not a critique of your response, but of the “everyone is an actor” dismissal. Sports are still fake as hell, rigged, and a waste of the time of a moral and productive society, except as part of building community through direct, sensible participation)

The games are rigged, no doubt, but it’s most likely done through the referees on select calls.

Some players may be in on it, but even as someone who’s known the games are rigged for many years, it’d surprise me if the league as a whole was rigged - I.e. “everyone who steps on the field is read-in.” Too many points of failure. Rigging is done, and almost has to be done, through influence, not full scripting.