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I don’t really buy the comparison entirely. Presumably the sports boss is doing something patently illegal, and obviously there are alternative career paths. OP is working in academia, which is socially acceptable, and feels that this is what is normal in their academic field, necessary for their goals, and isn’t actively harmful.

I wouldn’t necessarily condone the behavior, but what would you do in the situation? To always whistleblow whenever something doesn’t feel right and risk the politics? To quit working in the field if your concerns aren’t heard? To never cite papers that have absolutely any errors? I think it’s a tough situation and not productive to say OP isn’t behaving morally.