RSSNBA Official Tim Donaghy Allegedly Bet on NBA Games, Invtigated by FBI … Is the NBA Fixed?
NBA referee Tim Donaghy accused of betting and point shaving … this is going to 
leave a mark. The NBA this time has no Larry Bird/Magic Johnson fix to save the day like in 1979–80.
The NBA finds itself in the midst of a nightmare that threatens the integrity of its sport. If the NBA did not already have a terrible image problem due to the thug like behavior of its athletes recently and the low ratings of their last NBA Final between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs; they now have a real problem. Veteran NBA official Tim Donaghy is being investigated by the FBI for betting on NBA games as the NY POST originally reported. In a sport that can be affected by so few people, point shaving in the NBA is an enormous problem and the allegations against NBA official, Tim Donaghy, could scar the league forever.
The FBI is investigating allegations that veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones in which he officiated.
Defense attorney John Lauro confirmed Donaghy is under investigation but refused to comment on the allegations or the case. (ESPN)
We always wondered as a terrible foul was made during a basketball game what would possess a referee to make such a call. What was he looking at? Why would he have made such a call that could alter a game in such a manner? I think we may start to understand the reasons. It wasn’t incompetence. Instead it was most likely point shaving. Now the question arises just how many times did veteran NBA official Tim Donaghy make a concerted effort to affect the outcome of a game?
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 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.
As The Boston Globe reports Tim Donaghy is under investigation as to whether he made calls that affected the point spreads of games, games that he personally bet on and whether there is any involvement to Donaghy and organized crime.
Although attempts to reach Donaghy by phone yesterday were unsuccessful, a law enforcement official said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender next week to face charges. The case, which has been ongoing for several months, also involves investigators exploring connections between Donaghy and organized crime.
Others covering the NBA nightmare betting scandal:
NBA Commissioner David Stern made the following statement:
“As we previously stated, we have been co-operating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement yesterday afternoon.
Although asked by the government not to comment, Stern said the naming of Donaghy prompted a fuller statement.
“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.”
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9 Responses to “NBA Official Tim Donaghy Allegedly Bet on NBA Games, Invtigated by FBI … Is the NBA Fixed?”
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Toss him out forever,Joe Jackson
Maybe my view is jaundiced, as I don’t follow sports, BUT ….
How many missing Americans are there at home and abroad?
How many terrorists are waiting to be found in our country?
How many threats do we face from God knows where?
And the FBI has to put its people to work on a basketball betting scandal?
I knew there was a reason why the Mavericks got their butts stomped in the play-offs, yanno along with Nellie using confidential info against them. Lolz. Riiight.
Im sure Cuban is having a major fit with this ….
The reports coming out say he only reffed 5 games in last year’s playoffs and they were all different series. He could have had an effect on betting lines though.
I’m glad Stern is the NBA Commissioner though because he’s the best at dealing with situations like this. He won’t take any crap.
Funny article on Stern and the situation:
http://www.sportsdopes.com/
However, what about the other of 100′s of games in his career. How many single non-playoff games may he have altered? Irregular calling foul patterns, looking the other way, tight fouls? Basketball is unique in a small amount of players and refs can control an outcome if dirty.
The mob connection is going to be the telling tale. Me thinks that this ref may be going the way of Henry Hill ala Good Fellows and off to the witness protection program.
R
#2 Richard … FBI involvement because of betting and organized crime.
This investigation could get really interesting.
Betting on games and point shaving are basic no-no’s.Can’t be allowed.Crime get involved and then bad things happen.
Ohhh yeah, this shall get interesting…. This is a huge can of worms just now being tipped….
Pretty darn bad when crime takes over our good ole sports too.
The NBA has screwed itself. This issue dates back to Michael Jordan’s “retirement”. I love Michael and the Bulls. But he was a gambler. He gambled on games and rather ban him and “blemish” the game’s greatest star, he was allowed to “retire”, then “come back”. Bad Bad Bad.
Baseball got it right. Banned for life. The Chicago 8, including the great Shoeless Joe Jackson. Pete Rose.
Football almost got it right when they suspended Alex Karras and Paul Hornung (the golden boy) for a year.
There can be no room in sports for gambling–fantasy league “play” included. Banned for life.