Skin tone of NBA players and performance statistics. Is there a relationship?

Abstract

Abstract Skin tone discrimination in professional basketball leagues, and more specifically at the NBA, has been the major concern of many researchers who have provided evidence of its existence. The question of interest is whether it is still present. We revisit this question by applying various linear and complex non-linear, univariate, and multivariate, hypothesis testing procedures to numerous players’ performance statistics and their salaries for three seasons, from 2017 up to 2019. The nonlinear procedures are a key differentiation from previous studies as they may reveal patterns non-detectable by linear models. No evidence of discrimination, based on skin tone, was found. Strong evidence is provided that the skin tone of NBA players is not related to their performance statistics on the court nor is it a factor of salary discrimination.