FBI probes allegations NBA ref bet on games he worked

[jimrat201]

NEW YORK -- The FBI is investigating allegations that a veteran NBA referee bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones in which he officiated.

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether the referee made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to the AP on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

In a statement issued Friday, the NBA said: "We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time."

The probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

"These accusations, if true, are extremely serious and we have been in discussions with the NBA regarding this matter," Lamell McMorris, head of the NBA Referees Association, told Bloomberg News. "In light of the fact that this is an ongoing federal criminal investigation, we have nothing further to say at this time."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943095

[chengy]

I'd like to know which games he reffed.

[tallywhacker888]

Is it just me or do more and more scandals keep leaking out of sports in general? Just the other day I'm hearing about steroids in golf. Now I'm hearing about NBA ref betting on games and MMA fighters pumped full of steroids.

[Nick is cool]

Is it just me or do more and more scandals keep leaking out of sports in general? Just the other day I'm hearing about steroids in golf. Now I'm hearing about NBA ref betting on games and MMA fighters pumped full of steroids.






No one would take steroids in golf.. Theres no point

[sprak_]

No one would take steroids in golf.. Theres no point

right... because hitting the ball farther wouldn't help anyone's game :err:

[Whodi86]

I'd like to know which games he reffed.

Donaghy officiated 68 games in the 2005-06 season and 63 games in 2006-07. He also worked 20 playoff games, including five last season -- Pistons-Magic on April 23; Warriors-Mavs on April 27; Suns-Lakers on April 29; Nets-Raptors on May 4; and Spurs-Suns on May 12.

Doesn't change a thing, but it's still crazy that he attempted this. How did he not think he would get caught? I guess that's the definition of an addict.

[Shymega]

No one would take steroids in golf.. Theres no point

Perfromance enhancing drugs do alot more than just making you stronger. Better hand/eye coordination is one of them that would make a golfer benefit greatly.

Back on topic..This is a huge Black eye for the NBA, more than any other ones in years.

[Nick is cool]

right... because hitting the ball farther wouldn't help anyone's game :err:






i never watched or played golf in my life, but even i know strength has nothing to do with hitting the ball far, or some golfers would actually be strong

[sprak_]

i never watched or played golf in my life, but even i know strength has nothing to do with hitting the ball far, or some golfers would actually be strong

Can't tell if this is a serious post or not. I'm sure Barry Bonds would agree with you, though.

[BigMac]

i never watched or played golf in my life, but even i know strength has nothing to do with hitting the ball far, or some golfers would actually be strong

Are you retarded? Has anyone actually noticed how ripped tiger is? Good discussion for a NBA thread, though.

[Wu-tang]

NFL: One of the league's most marketable superstars has been indicted on federal conspiracy charges involving horrific animal cruelty.

MLB: Perhaps the most hallowed record in all of American sports is on the cusp of being broken, but the guy who's about to do it is hated by millions largely for his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs.

NBA: A referee is under investigation for betting on league games, including contests over which he officiated.

MMA: Just when the sport is really taking off with lucrative PPV deals, two fighters test positive for anabolic steroids after a title bout.

Basically...Not a good time for sports.

And then if you want to consider the Benoit thing too...German Suplex.

[chengy]

Doesn't change a thing, but it's still crazy that he attempted this. How did he not think he would get caught? I guess that's the definition of an addict.

I know but all the more reason to be outraged if he fucked your teams chances.

[Nick is cool]

Can't tell if this is a serious post or not. I'm sure Barry Bonds would agree with you, though.



Since when does barry bonds golf? And in a major sport like golf if it mattered alot to be strong dont you think all golfers would be in good shape and really strong? Golf is all about form.




Are you retarded? Has anyone actually noticed how ripped tiger is? Good discussion for a NBA thread, though.





a.l.l. a.b.o.u.t. f.o.r.m. d.u.m.b.a.s.s.

[jn_powell]

You do not have to be strong to hit the ball far in golf, and whoever said steroids can help hand eye coordination sounds like they are talking out their ass (I want a source). And last I checked, steroids cannot improve chipping and putting, which are what wins golf tournaments.

[Shymega]

Since when does barry bonds golf? And in a major sport like golf if it mattered alot to be strong dont you think all golfers would be in good shape and really strong? Golf is all about form.










a.l.l. a.b.o.u.t. f.o.r.m. d.u.m.b.a.s.s.

Form is a major part, however, just because is guy is not ripped does not mean he is not strong.

Have you ever seen Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? Nadal is muscular, but Federer has tiny arms, but Federer's backhand and forehand shots are argueably the hardest in Tennis.

The best power is released through the brain.

[jn_powell]

Form is a major part, however, just because is guy is not ripped does not mean he is not strong.
True, but with golf strength is not required to be able to gain distance. Even if that were true, being able to hit the long ball is probably more of a detriment if you do not have the skill to control it with proper form. It is a catch 22. If you have proper form you do not need strength, but if you have strength you still need the proper form. Steroids would have little benefit to winning golf tournaments. That, however, does not mean that people will not try anything they can.

[TJIZZLES]

He probably reffed all the San Antonio Spurs games. They get every damn call.

[Liberator13]

Are you retarded? Has anyone actually noticed how ripped tiger is? Good discussion for a NBA thread, though.

Tiger is HUGE. I was so surprised the first time I actually noticed it, but that guy is ripped as hell.

[jn_powell]

Tiger is HUGE. I was so surprised the first time I actually noticed it, but that guy is ripped as hell.
He is now, but he wasn't when he first started on the tour and he was hitting the ball a mile back then. He is just a gym rat. I seriously doubt he is taking any steroids.

[sprak_]

Since when does barry bonds golf? And in a major sport like golf if it mattered alot to be strong dont you think all golfers would be in good shape and really strong? Golf is all about form.

Ok I guess that comment went over your head. You were saying strength has nothing to do with how far you can hit a ball... I mentioned Barry Bonds... put two and two together.

Two players with identical swings, the one who can generate more power will hit the ball farther... not to mention the other benefits steroids could provide. Plus Gary Player has no reason to lie about steroids in golf.

[Liberator13]

He is now, but he wasn't when he first started on the tour and he was hitting the ball a mile back then. He is just a gym rat. I seriously doubt he is taking any steroids.

No way, I couldn't even fathom him even thinking about taking steroids.

[tallywhacker888]

No one would take steroids in golf.. Theres no point

Well then since Gary Player sayed that he knows of people in golf who have taken steroids he must just be lying for the the fun of it?

[Nick is cool]

Ok I guess that comment went over your head. You were saying strength has nothing to do with how far you can hit a ball... I mentioned Barry Bonds... put two and two together.

Two players with identical swings, the one who can generate more power will hit the ball farther... not to mention the other benefits steroids could provide. Plus Gary Player has no reason to lie about steroids in golf.






if i did say that i meant just in golf, its kinda obvious that golf and baseball are different..


and like i said before, if strength mattered in golf, everyone would be very strong since its a major sport, but only a few of them are in decent shape

[sprak_]

if i did say that i meant just in golf, its kinda obvious that golf and baseball are different..

So there's a difference between a golf swing and a baseball swing that makes strength not affect how far you can hit a golf ball? Do you honestly think that?

Maybe some players aren't in very good shape... but the one player that wins the most and makes the most money is always in tremendous shape. Coincidence?

[pacaveli]

Doesn't change a thing, but it's still crazy that he attempted this. How did he not think he would get caught? I guess that's the definition of an addict.

bull shit the spurs won on may 12th game off this years playoffs that woudl change the entire complexion of the series...

edit: checked some of the games the ones in the ref has to be Tim Donaghy only one who reffed both suns v lakers and suns v spurs game

edit to my edit: ESPNews confirms this
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943095