Although NFL athletes are often in the news for domestic violence, DUIs and other transgressions, NBA athletes actually commit more 'crimes'. In work done last summer over at fivethityeight, Ben Morris showed that NFL athletes actually commit crimes at lower rates than the general population. In his work, he showed that roughly 2,000 DUIs are recorded per 100,000 regular folks compared to a rate of about 550 for the NFL. In the above figure we see that 3.8% of NBA athletes committed a crime last year versus 2.3% of NFL players. For example, there were 17 NBA arrests in 2014 and approximately 447 players.
For now, the observed arrest trends are unexplained. An oft presented theory is that NBA athletes are from poor neighborhoods and are thus more likely to commit crimes. The idea that NBA athletes often rise from the ghetto has been proven to be rare. In research published in 2011, the researchers showed that 'The popular image of the African American National Basketball Association (NBA) player as rising from the ‘ghetto’ to international fame and fortune misleads academics and the public alike'. They found that roughly 65% of African American and 90% of White NBA players came from middle or upper class households.
In 5 of the last 6 years, a greater percent of NBA athletes committed more crimes than other athletes. The below figure represents these arrest data over time.
Here is a closer look at the statistics for 2014:
Arrests/Citations/Charges by Month (Recorded by Arrest Nation)
January 2014 – 33 Arrests/Citations/Charges
February 2014 – 39 Arrests/Citations/Charges
March 2014 – 31 Arrests/Citations/Charges
April 2014 – 60 Arrests/Citations/Charges
May 2014 – 34 Arrests/Citations/Charges
June 2014 – 46 Arrests/Citations/Charges
July 2014 – 61 Arrests/Citations/Charges
August 2014 – 38 Arrests/Citations/Charges
September 2014 – 46 Arrests/Citations/Charges
October 2014 – 70 Arrests/Citations/Charges
November 2014 – 65 Arrests/Citations/Charges
December 2014 – 27 Arrests/Citations/Charges
Sports Categories
1. College Football – 253 Arrests/Citations/Charges
2. Former – 98 Arrests/Citations/Charges
3. College Basketball – 60 Arrests/Citations/Charges
Pro Football – 60 Arrests/Citations/Charges
4. Pro Basketball – 17 Arrests/Citations/Charges
5. College Baseball – 10 Arrests/Citations/Charges
6. College Cheerleading – 6 Arrests/Citations/Charges
College Track and Field – 6 Arrests/Citations/Charges
7. College Lacrosse – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Mixed Martial Arts – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Pro Hockey – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
8. Coach – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Minor League Baseball – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Pro Baseball – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
9. Athletic Department – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. TV Personalities – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
10. College Cross Country – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. College Golf – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. College Hockey – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. College Volleyball – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Front Office – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Soccer – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
11. Boxing – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. College Soccer – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. College Softball – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. College Wrestling – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Swimming – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
Teams/Schools
1. Winthrop University – 16 Arrests/Citations/Charges
2. University of Georgia – 13 Arrests/Citations/Charges
3. University of Missouri – 12 Arrests/Citations/Charges
4. University of Tennessee – 11 Arrests/Citations/Charges
5. Texas A&M University – 10 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T6. Oklahoma State University – 8 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Kentucky – 8 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Mississippi – 8 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Washington State University – 8 Arrests/Citations/Charges
7. Florida State University – 9 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T8. California University of Pennsylvania – 7 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Iowa State University – 7 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Cincinnati – 7 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T9. Baltimore Ravens – 6 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Alabama – 6 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Iowa – 6 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T10. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. East Carolina University – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Indiana University – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Louisiana State University (LSU) – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Penn State University – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Maine – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Maryland – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Michigan – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of North Alabama – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Oregon – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. West Virginia University – 5 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T11. Central Michigan University – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Georgia Southern University – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Minnesota Vikings – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. San Francisco 49ers – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Florida – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Nebraska – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of New Mexico – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of North Texas – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of South Florida – 4 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T12. Bowling Green State University – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Buffalo Bills – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Chipola College – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Cleveland Browns – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Eastern Michigan University – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Indianapolis Colts – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Jacksonville Jaguars – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Ohio State University – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Texas Christian University – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Akron – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Kansas – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Louisville – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Miami – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Oklahoma – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Texas – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Western Kentucky University – 3 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T13. Arizona Cardinals – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Atlanta Falcons – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Auburn University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Baylor University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Charlotte Hornets – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Chicago Bears – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Cincinnati Bengals – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. College of William and Mary – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Denver Broncos – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Indianapolis Colts – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Fort Hays State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. James Madison University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Kansas State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Kingsport Mets – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Longwood University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Minnesota Timberwolves – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Mississippi State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. New York Jets – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Oregon State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Phoenix Suns – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Pittsburgh Steelers – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Rutgers University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Sam Houston State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. St. Louis Rams – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Tennessee Titans – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Tulane University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Charleston – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Idaho – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Illinois – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of Louisiana at Lafayette – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. University of North Carolina – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Utah State University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Washington Redskins – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
. Western Michigan University – 2 Arrests/Citations/Charges
T14. Arizona State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Arkansas State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Ball State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Boise State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Boston Celtics – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Boston Red Sox – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Bradley University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Brigham Young University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Carolina Hurricanes – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Carolina Panthers – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Central Connecticut State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Chicago Bulls – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Colorado State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Cornell University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Culver-Stockton College – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Dallas Cowboys – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Dallas Stars – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Davidson College – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. DePaul University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Detroit Pistons – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Duke University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Ferris State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Golden State Warriors – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Iona College – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Kansas City Chiefs – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Los Angeles Clippers – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Los Angeles Kings – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Marshall University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Memphis Grizzlies – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Miami Dolphins – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Michigan State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. New York Knicks – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. North Carolina State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Northwestern University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Oakland Raiders – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Old Dominion University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Philadelphia Eagles – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Philadelphia Flyers – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Purdue University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Quincy University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Sacramento Kings – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Salem Red Sox – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. San Diego Padres – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Seattle Reign FC – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Seattle Seahawks – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Southern Illinois University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Tampa Bay Lightning – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Texas Rangers – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Toledo Mud Hens – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Toronto Raptors – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. United State Naval Academy – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University at Albany – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Arizona – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Arkansas – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of California, Berkeley (Cal) – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Colorado – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Dayton – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge. University of Hawaii – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge. University of Louisiana at Monroe – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge. University of Minnesota – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge. University of Nevada – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of New Hampshire – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of North Carolina at Charlotte – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Notre Dame – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Pennsylvania – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Pittsburgh – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Rhode Island – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of South Carolina – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Southern Mississippi – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Texas at El Paso – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
.University of Tulsa – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Utah – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Virginia – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. University of Washington – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Vanderbilt University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Virginia State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Wake Forest University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Washington Nationals – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Western New England University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Willamette University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Wright State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
. Youngstown State University – 1 Arrest/Citation/Charge
