It’d be an understatement to say that the 2019-20 NBA season has been unconventional. In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, teams are now set to compete in a “bubble” at Disney World for the remainder of the season, isolated from their families and under strict quarantine. With a lengthy gap in play, some players choosing to opt out, and teams facing off in a new playoff format, fans and pundits are already rushing to place an asterisk next to this year’s eventual title winners. But what do asterisks in sports actually signify, and do they ever really matter? The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney investigates the history of the sports asterisk, and why an asterisk for this NBA season might be misplaced.

Rob Mahoney

Rob covers the NBA and pop culture for The Ringer. He previously covered the league for Sports Illustrated.