Making the Trade in the National Basketball Association (NBA): A Research Case Exploring Like-Kind Exchange Treatment Post Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Abstract

ABSTRACT The primary aim of this activity is to explore tax issues related to an exchange of non-financial assets. Students are presented with a case that involves a fictional trade of players between two teams in the NBA. Using a trade date of January 1, 2018, students are presented with the opportunity to explore the treatment of a non-financial asset like-kind exchange post the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. In addition, students are challenged to determine the definition of fair market value and how its calculation could have a substantial impact on the finances of a professional basketball team. Data gathered from pre- and post-questionnaires, including both objective measures and student experiential feedback, support the usage of this activity. Results show that this case increased students' ability to understand and summarize relevant information from a complex set of facts, while also growing their tax knowledge and tax research skills.