RugerShooter
07-24-2007, 07:07 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070723/ts_afp/basketnbareferee_070723231926
I knew the NBA was Fixed
NEW YORK (AFP) - An FBI gambling investigation into retired referee Tim Donaghy and match fixing sparked credibility-crushing fear around the National Basketball Association on Monday amid more disturbing reports.
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The New York Post, citing an unnamed source, reported Donaghy was ready to cooperate with authorities and name other referees, players, coaches and gambling figures who might be involved in the league-rocking scandal.
A terrified Donaghy, whose name was first unearthed during wiretaps in the Gambino mobster case, had received death threats and received police protection in the wake of the probe, the Post reported, saying relatives urged him to join a witness relocation program.
Federal investigators are looking into claims Donaghy, 40, worked with mobsters to fix margins and outcomes of NBA games to pay off gambling debts.
He resigned earlier this month after a 13-year career following allegations, then unpublicized, that he bet on games that he officiated.
No specific games in which he was involved have been revealed as being under scrutiny, although among those he handled was a game in the San Antonio-Phoenix playoff series.
San Antonio beat the Suns and swept to the NBA crown over Cleveland in the finals.
Jalen Rose, who played last season for Phoenix, told ESPN he was hopeful the scandal was simply Donaghy acting alone and not a major conspiracy by referees whose foul calls can alter outcomes and send superstars to the bench early.
"My immediate reaction was surprise, shock and disappointment for all our league," Rose said.
"This is very disturbing. You just hope this snowball does not grow bigger. This should not be a black eye for the league, we hope."
NBA commissioner David Stern has called a Tuesday morning news conference where he will answer questions on the matter. He made a statement Friday when news of the scandal became public.
"We have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated," Stern said.
"We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again."
As a referee, Donaghy would have known which referees were assigned to what games weeks in advance, potentially allowing gamblers to consult internet sites that chart referee tendencies and know before teams who would handle games.
The New York Daily News, citing an unnamed source, reported NBA officials had a private investigator following Donaghy more than a year ago but continued to assign him to games into the second round of the NBA playoffs last May.
The News also reported that Donaghy received an above-average evaluation from superiors last season, when Donaghy called the most technical fouls of any referee in the NBA.
In two games involving the New York Knicks last season, Donaghy called two technicals, an automatic ejection, on Chicago coach Scott Skiles and then was among a crew that gave the Knicks 39 free throws to eight for Miami and whistled technicals on Miami coach Pat Riley, assistant coach Ron Rothstein and the Heat defense for three defensive three-second violations.
Investigators also told the News they hope Donaghy will implicate other referees and any players or coaches involved in the scandal.
Another issue impacted by the NBA and gambling is consideration of having an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, the US gambling mecca where NBA players will try to capture an Olympic berth at an Americas tournament six weeks from now.
Stern has been opposed to has a Vegas team while gamblers there can legally bet upon NBA games at local sports booking parlors, but a source told the News the Donaghy situation probably will have no affect upon a possible Vegas club.
Gambling has been a sore subject with the NBA for years, from Michael Jordan's trips to casinos and golfing bets in the 1990s while leading Chicago to six NBA titles to former All-Star Charles Barkley's admissions to losing 10 million dollars on casino wagers.
Jordan is now the top basketball executive for the NBA Charlotte Bobcats while Barkley is a television commentator for NBA games. Neither has been linked to bets upon NBA games.
I knew the NBA was Fixed
NEW YORK (AFP) - An FBI gambling investigation into retired referee Tim Donaghy and match fixing sparked credibility-crushing fear around the National Basketball Association on Monday amid more disturbing reports.
ADVERTISEMENT
The New York Post, citing an unnamed source, reported Donaghy was ready to cooperate with authorities and name other referees, players, coaches and gambling figures who might be involved in the league-rocking scandal.
A terrified Donaghy, whose name was first unearthed during wiretaps in the Gambino mobster case, had received death threats and received police protection in the wake of the probe, the Post reported, saying relatives urged him to join a witness relocation program.
Federal investigators are looking into claims Donaghy, 40, worked with mobsters to fix margins and outcomes of NBA games to pay off gambling debts.
He resigned earlier this month after a 13-year career following allegations, then unpublicized, that he bet on games that he officiated.
No specific games in which he was involved have been revealed as being under scrutiny, although among those he handled was a game in the San Antonio-Phoenix playoff series.
San Antonio beat the Suns and swept to the NBA crown over Cleveland in the finals.
Jalen Rose, who played last season for Phoenix, told ESPN he was hopeful the scandal was simply Donaghy acting alone and not a major conspiracy by referees whose foul calls can alter outcomes and send superstars to the bench early.
"My immediate reaction was surprise, shock and disappointment for all our league," Rose said.
"This is very disturbing. You just hope this snowball does not grow bigger. This should not be a black eye for the league, we hope."
NBA commissioner David Stern has called a Tuesday morning news conference where he will answer questions on the matter. He made a statement Friday when news of the scandal became public.
"We have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated," Stern said.
"We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again."
As a referee, Donaghy would have known which referees were assigned to what games weeks in advance, potentially allowing gamblers to consult internet sites that chart referee tendencies and know before teams who would handle games.
The New York Daily News, citing an unnamed source, reported NBA officials had a private investigator following Donaghy more than a year ago but continued to assign him to games into the second round of the NBA playoffs last May.
The News also reported that Donaghy received an above-average evaluation from superiors last season, when Donaghy called the most technical fouls of any referee in the NBA.
In two games involving the New York Knicks last season, Donaghy called two technicals, an automatic ejection, on Chicago coach Scott Skiles and then was among a crew that gave the Knicks 39 free throws to eight for Miami and whistled technicals on Miami coach Pat Riley, assistant coach Ron Rothstein and the Heat defense for three defensive three-second violations.
Investigators also told the News they hope Donaghy will implicate other referees and any players or coaches involved in the scandal.
Another issue impacted by the NBA and gambling is consideration of having an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, the US gambling mecca where NBA players will try to capture an Olympic berth at an Americas tournament six weeks from now.
Stern has been opposed to has a Vegas team while gamblers there can legally bet upon NBA games at local sports booking parlors, but a source told the News the Donaghy situation probably will have no affect upon a possible Vegas club.
Gambling has been a sore subject with the NBA for years, from Michael Jordan's trips to casinos and golfing bets in the 1990s while leading Chicago to six NBA titles to former All-Star Charles Barkley's admissions to losing 10 million dollars on casino wagers.
Jordan is now the top basketball executive for the NBA Charlotte Bobcats while Barkley is a television commentator for NBA games. Neither has been linked to bets upon NBA games.