Sports Betting at Eye On Gambling - Discuss Online Sportsbooks; Handicapping; and Free Picks (http://www.eog.com/news/full-article.aspx?id=29556)


Isn't amazing how the whole Tim Donaghy situation seemingly was just swept under the carpet? Sure he supposedly was going to "sing" and talk about the misdeeds of other refs, but do people really believe any allegations he makes will go public? The NBA has done what all sports leagues tend to do, they control the situation and all news reports concerning it.
Word has now leaked about some of Donaghy's suspected cohorts in the scandal. Surprisingly one of them said it seems law enforcement and presumably the NBA have lost interest in her story. They got Donaghy to admit guilt and with it I am sure the NBA hopes the story quickly and cleanly goes away. They refuse to give up any more information, lest some pesky Arizona prosecutor goes further digging into the sordid state of the NBA.
Oh but its not so easy David Stern. Your game has problems which some might believe make it rotten to the core. It isn't just crooked refs the fans have to worry about, but the clear notion that a league built on marketing anointed superstars could have a serious favoritism problem.
Announcers and observers readily talk about how some players get the "superstar treatment" from the refs. It amazes me how people just shrug and accept this. How is a league built on making its chosen best players look and perform better superior than wrestling or roller derby? Just because the whole thing isn't completely scripted are we supposed to say that makes it good legitimate entertainment?
Look if David Stern really wanted to make us all believe he had the game most above reproach we would see a lot better referees applying the rule book at every turn. No more three or four steps to the basket for Lebron James or Dwayne Wade. No more crossover dribbles that are clear carrying violations. Would such determined applications of the rules make the game a bit more boring? Maybe, but the truly great players will learn and adjust.
Gambling really is a wash, maybe it tainted the game in this instance but Stern can't deny it adds tens of millions to NBA coffers in TV ratings and purchases of League Pass subscriptions. Unless he truly believes the line that people are buying League Pass just so they can follow their favorite teams when they live in another state. Some gambling hating pundits may talk about how terrible gambling is for the game and how it wrecks its integrity, but there is no doubt gamblers are as much at the mercy of poor referees as the players and the fans are.
Truth is the NBA has to control the image of itself and its product because basketball played on courts worldwide by non-professionals bears little resemblance to what you see in the NBA. Go to a local pickup game and see how few times players get practically mugged by defenders as they do in the NBA. How many times do the games revolve around the predictable dribble drive and then pass out for a three-point shot? And of course, where else do you see guys doing ridiculous feats of athletic prowess in dunking a ball?
Not that the NBA's game completely lacks entertainment value, but its just on so many levels a well choreographed event. This is what the NBA decided would sell to the wider public and it was a strategy which has worked fabulously. However the chinks in the armor are showing with big drops in ratings over the last few years and it remains to be see what fallout over Donaghy the league must deal with in this upcoming season.
The show will go on, but how long until people stop following it to the degree they do now as the questions of legitimacy continue to pop up? Deeper changes need to be made beyond just addressing a rogue referee. Those changes and their success or failure will be the real legacy of David Stern.

I'm still amazed that the whole Michael Vick thing has overshadowed this by so much. It's just one guy committing a crime. Whereas this event taints the validity of an entire professional sports league.

...but, what do I know...

I'm still amazed that the whole Michael Vick thing has overshadowed this by so much. It's just one guy committing a crime. Whereas this event taints the validity of an entire professional sports league.

...but, what do I know...

Vick was about the most exciting player in the NFL. And the NFL is way more popular than the NBA.

Nobody even knew who Donaghy was before this, and it appears as though he was acting alone. Really, a whitch hunt for other refs who may have gambled recreationally at the casino is not more news worthy than a star NFL QB going to the slammer.

The Donaghy thing is quiet possibly the biggest thing to happen to the NBA EVER, and yet I noticed ESPN took it off their NBA page, yesterday.

It's all horsecrap. I just can't wait until Jim Gray corners David Stern during a halftime on TNT/ESPN? and asks him one million annoying and intrusive questions.

It's the biggest thing ever if there are lots of refs fixing games, but if it was really just the one guy, I don't think it's anywhere near that big a deal. The Vick dogfighting story was going nowhere until he was actually indicted, which apparently came as a big surprise to the league and to the Falcons. So if there ends up being some real news about other refs fixing games, I'm sure the story will come back bigger than ever. But until that happens (if it does), what's there to talk about?

You know what is getting hushed up is the Lance Briggs incedent.

He crashed a $350,000 car at 3:30 AM into a light pole by himself, fled the scene of the accident, filed a false police report saying that the car was stolen, and is not even getting disciplined by his team.

Obviously drunk.

You don't crash a car into nothing by yourself if you are sober. And if by chance you do, then you definitely stick around so that the police realize you are not drunk.

Talk about lucky. If that light pole had been another car, then he'd be wishing he were Michael Vick right about now.

The problem is, the report was made that Donaghy was going to spill the beans on others and that apparently has been swept under the rug as well. I don't care if it ruins the league. This kind of thing need to be exposed and eradicated. Otherwise, what's the point of salvaging a bogus league anyway?

If covering up the rest of this investigation (as what seems to be the case with this additional witness in Arizona) is what they will resort to in an effort to make this go away, then there are some serious issues that, IMO, doesn't support the notion that anyone should support this league at all in the future. If, indeed, Donaghy knew of other officials involved in this and the commissioner or anyone else involved are making efforts to prevent this information from being divulged, they should all be fired and/or resign.

Besides, I don't care what the popularity of the sports involved, one guy going to jail over an entire professional league having it's entire validity put on the table doesn't add up to me.

The problem is, the report was made that Donaghy was going to spill the beans on others and that apparently has been swept under the rug as well. I don't care if it ruins the league. This kind of thing need to be exposed and eradicated. Otherwise, what's the point of salvaging a bogus league anyway?

Well, maybe that report wasn't accurate. Who's sweeping it under the rug? The feds, because Stern is paying them off? If more stuff emerges, then so be it. I'm not in favor of covering it up either. I'm just not convinced that this is what's actually happening.

If he was threatening to spill the beans about other refs involved in fixing games, then it would be humungous news. The general public just doesn't care if some ref they've never heard of gets ratted out for playing video poker.

However, when you torture/ kill "man's best friend," then it piques people's interest.

Brittany Spears gets disproportionally more news time for far more trivial matters. That doesn't necessarilly mean that the media or the viewers think that her wrongdoings are more serious than others. They just get better ratings.

ESPN - Donaghy to share info about other refs with feds - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2979605)

Sources: Ref ready to drop dime on others | Daily News | 08/22/2007 (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20070822_Sources__Ref_ready_to_drop_dime_on_others .html)

These don't seem inaccurate to me. It reads to me like Stern is doing everything in his power to insist that there is only one guy doing wrong. Furthermore, EVEN IF, you only want to believe these guys aren't doing anything illegal, their integrity should be called into question from the very thought that they are willfully engaging in activity that violates their contract agreements. We would crucify a player for the same.

ESPN - Donaghy to share info about other refs with feds - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2979605)

Sources: Ref ready to drop dime on others | Daily News | 08/22/2007 (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20070822_Sources__Ref_ready_to_drop_dime_on_others .html)

These don't seem inaccurate to me. It reads to me like Stern is doing everything in his power to insist that there is only one guy doing wrong.

This article didn't seem so inaccurate either, until it ended up being inaccurate later that very same day:

ESPN - Sources: Vick unlikely to be indicted in feds' probe - NFL (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2927560)

I'm not saying it's definitely inaccurate that Donaghy is going to name names; maybe that's still going to happen. But it's not enough of a basis for me to leap to the conclusion that Stern is covering anything up. And maybe he's gotten ahead of himself in insisting that this is an isolated case, but that's not exactly a crime.

As for refs playing video poker (or engaging in other non-NBA-related gambling), it would be unfortunate if a bunch of them were violating their contracts in that way. But I don't think we would necessarily "crucify" any player who wilfully did something non-criminal that happened to violate his contract.

This article didn't seem so inaccurate either, until it ended up being inaccurate later that very same day:

ESPN - Sources: Vick unlikely to be indicted in feds' probe - NFL (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2927560)

I'm not saying it's definitely inaccurate that Donaghy is going to name names; maybe that's still going to happen. But it's not enough of a basis for me to leap to the conclusion that Stern is covering anything up. And maybe he's gotten ahead of himself in insisting that this is an isolated case, but that's not exactly a crime.

As for refs playing video poker (or engaging in other non-NBA-related gambling), it would be unfortunate if a bunch of them were violating their contracts in that way. But I don't think we would necessarily "crucify" any player who wilfully did something non-criminal that happened to violate his contract.

Do you honestly believe that David Stern doesn't do anything that's not well thought out and calculated? He switched game balls without consulting the players union. Hell, there's a player dress code. I'm not buying it.

As far as the players go, we torch them daily for things they do that aren't illegal. Heck there's entire sports media entities that make their living doing it.

Well, I'm not sure what we're arguing about anymore. Of course Stern has proven to be overly manipulative many times in the past. I'm just not convinced that there's anything shady going on with the coverage (or lack thereof) in the Donaghy case. I think the reason it's "disappeared" from the news is that...there hasn't been any more news. If something else does come up, I'm pretty sure we'll hear about it, and if it involves other refs fixing games, I have no doubt that it'll be a huge story. I'm not exactly defending Stern here; I'm just questioning how much power he actually has to make inconvenient stories disappear.

We would crucify a player for the same.

The only two instances of this that I can remember is Ben Rothlisberger and Jay Williams violating their motorcycle clauses. Even though they crashed them, we didn't exactly crucify them here.

It's just a contract. It could have said that the refs can't wear pink socks in the swimming pool. It doesn't make it wrong.

But I don't think we would necessarily "crucify" any player who wilfully did something non-criminal that happened to violate his contract.Stoudemire, Diaw & the Suns got crucified for their knee-jerk reaction to go to Nash's aid at a critical playoff juncture. By that standard...ALL of the refs should be held to letter of the law contractually.

Stoudemire, Diaw & the Suns got crucified for their knee-jerk reaction to go to Nash's aid at a critical playoff juncture. By that standard...ALL of the refs should be held to letter of the law contractually.

Do the players have contracts with their teams or with the NBA?

If they do have a contract with the NBA, does that contract prohibit leaving the bench during an altercation? If they violate that clause, do they get fired and forfeit all future payments due under the contract?

If you want these refs to be held under the same standard, then they should get a slap on the wrist and sit out a few games.

My whole point in this is that I think this is a major thing and everyone seems content to just gloss over it and going enjoying their NBA games.

Stern's position on the suspensions were that everyone knew the rules, and they had to enforce them, even if the intent to escalate a fight was not necessarily there.

Stern was adamant that every player knows not to leave the bench to escalate an altercation.

Mikhail's point is that if there is a rule, that prohibits the refs from all but betting on horses, and they have violated it, then Stern, by his own standard, would appear to be compelled to mete out justice, based upon the fact that the refs "knew the rules"....

Exactly my point.

My question is this. Why is a technical default a small suspension for a player and a lifetime ban for a ref?

Both of these rules are meant to stop things from getting out of hand. There is nothing intrinsicly wrong with leaving a bench or engaging in legal gambling. But they are both stepping stones to more serious offenses. So, in my mind, they are equally serious.

So, yes, they should carry equal penalties.

If you want these refs to be held under the same standard, then they should get a slap on the wrist and sit out a few games.That would be a start, but I'd include financial penalties also. There are few checks-and-balances for NBA officiating. The Crawford/Duncan incident was a very rare occasion where Stern stepped in and took a ref outta play.

My question is this. Why is a technical default a small suspension for a player and a lifetime ban for a ref?

Both of these rules are meant to stop things from getting out of hand. There is nothing intrinsicly wrong with leaving a bench or engaging in legal gambling. But they are both stepping stones to more serious offenses. So, in my mind, they are equally serious.

So, yes, they should carry equal penalties.
You can't possibly believe that Tay.

Leaving the bench is an emotional response. Do you believe that leaving the bench once in a season would be the same as a ref possibly harbouring a gambling habit ala Donaghy that compromises his integrity?

If a ref is clean, he's clean. And if he's not, then he needs to be removed from officiating duties. Even the suggestion that a ref is engaged in gambling (however unrelated) creates an aura of impropriety. There was a purpose and intent behind having it in the officials' CBA.

We're not talking about morality. We rarely do when it comes to rules or laws.

I would tend to agree that this Vick thing is overshadowing the NBA scandale. I am so tired of hearing about Vick.

Does not mean it is going to go away. I even heard Bill Walton talking about standardizing the calls in last nights game.

Its on Hiatus and not dead quit yet. Wait until the season starts and everyone is questioning calls way more than they ever did.

I would tend to agree that this Vick thing is overshadowing the NBA scandale. I am so tired of hearing about Vick.

Does not mean it is going to go away. I even heard Bill Walton talking about standardizing the calls in last nights game.

Its on Hiatus and not dead quit yet. Wait until the season starts and everyone is questioning calls way more than they ever did.

That's precisely what I'm waiting for. I'm dying to see if this actually makes a difference or if they continue with the same shenanigans they have been going on with. I'm almost willing to bet (no pun intended) that the officiating doesn't get any better, but they try to spin it as though it's much better now that they've gotten rid of the bad apple. Hell, for all the posturing and rule making Stern has been doing to keep his players in line with the company image, it's perfectly ironic that the officials turn out to be the ones to burn him the worst.

There was a purpose and intent behind having it in the officials' CBA.


You don't think there was a purpose and intent to having the rule where players can't leave the bench during a fight?

I do believe there was.

Do you truly believe the penalties should be equal?

Answer me this. What is more heinous? Swearing at a fan, or manipulating an outcome?

Do you truly believe the penalties should be equal?

Answer me this. What is more heinous? Swearing at a fan, or manipulating an outcome?

Not for Donaghy. But for the soon-to-be-named refs who were only gambling recreationally. Sure, suspend them for 25 games and give them a $25K penalty. That would be much more meaningful to them than to the players.

I mean if punching a fan in the face (which is illegal) doesn't even result in the loss of a player's job, then why should this for the good refs?


As much suspicion as I have over the way games are reffed, I could care less if they play poker. In fact, I sort of like them better now that I know they do. They seem like they'd be fun to hang out with.

Not for Donaghy. But for the soon-to-be-named refs who were only gambling recreationally. Sure, suspend them for 25 games and give them a $25K penalty. That would be much more meaningful to them than to the players.

I mean if punching a fan in the face (which is illegal) doesn't even result in the loss of a player's job, then why should this for the good refs?


As much suspicion as I have over the way games are reffed, I could care less if they play poker. In fact, I sort of like them better now that I know they do. They seem like they'd be fun to hang out with.

I feel compelled to come to Tashawn's defense. I don't have anything meaningful to add to the discussion, but I believe you have been spot on with your points. Keep up the good work, bro!!!

I want you to know, I do see your point. And I'm a contrarian by nature, so the argument does resonate with me.

But at the same time, I am a fan who spends a lot of his disposable income following the sport. I don't gamble, so I can't claim losses because the scales were tipped against me in a secretive manner. Just the same, I invest time, interest and money into following the sport, and the assumption that it is somewhat fair is a key component of that.

I have long said the referees are incompetent as a group. Now I have a better understanding that the system is incompetent as well. Not in the, "what is really travelling" or "how much time is on the clock" sense but that there are not the safeguards or means to preserve the perception of integrity about the game.

I doubt I will be able to watch the Pistons lose this season, and short of a lot of missed shots, keep from wondering what the referee's agenda is each and every time they make a call.

And that to me is a bigger crime and more damaging than the Malice at the Palace. We know fans go to far, and we know Artest is a moron. We know that the players can be emotionally overboard and we know that the tension can run high. It's part of the thrill of being a fan, knowing that the sport is volatile enough to produce the best and worst from the athletes.

But the refs? The league? The system? The review process? Incapable and impotent?

We might as well take stats and scores and throw them out the window. Because those late game free throws, those technical fouls, ball handling violations are all suspect.

I want to see refs outed. I don't even care who they are. The ideal outcome would be for this to burn down the house, and force the NBA to admit failure (instead of blaming one guy, over and over) and rebuild with a new paradigm that they are smarter for it, and safeguards to preserve the fan's perception of the game that it has integrity.

I want you to know, I do see your point. And I'm a contrarian by nature, so the argument does resonate with me.

But at the same time, I am a fan who spends a lot of his disposable income following the sport. I don't gamble, so I can't claim losses because the scales were tipped against me in a secretive manner. Just the same, I invest time, interest and money into following the sport, and the assumption that it is somewhat fair is a key component of that.

I have long said the referees are incompetent as a group. Now I have a better understanding that the system is incompetent as well. Not in the, "what is really travelling" or "how much time is on the clock" sense but that there are not the safeguards or means to preserve the perception of integrity about the game.

I doubt I will be able to watch the Pistons lose this season, and short of a lot of missed shots, keep from wondering what the referee's agenda is each and every time they make a call.

And that to me is a bigger crime and more damaging than the Malice at the Palace. We know fans go to far, and we know Artest is a moron. We know that the players can be emotionally overboard and we know that the tension can run high. It's part of the thrill of being a fan, knowing that the sport is volatile enough to produce the best and worst from the athletes.

But the refs? The league? The system? The review process? Incapable and impotent?

We might as well take stats and scores and throw them out the window. Because those late game free throws, those technical fouls, ball handling violations are all suspect.

I want to see refs outed. I don't even care who they are. The ideal outcome would be for this to burn down the house, and force the NBA to admit failure (instead of blaming one guy, over and over) and rebuild with a new paradigm that they are smarter for it, and safeguards to preserve the fan's perception of the game that it has integrity.

Amen..

I'm sure I'm going to be crying foul when we lose due to bad calls this year too. I've been telling everyone I know, that the NBA is rigged (for ratings purposes) for years.

I think the good news for Stern is that Donaghy seems to be unable to name another ref who is actually corrupt. And it seems as though he has no reservations about ratting people out. None of us would have been surprised if he would have exposed a massive conspiracy here right? All the way up to Stern perhaps. But it isn't happening. And that could be because there is no real systematic corruption.

I saw that there is news today about pro tennis matches being rigged. They are also investigating a point shaving case revolving around Toledo football. There is probably dirt under the covers of every pro and college sport if you look hard enough.

Has anyone here read Freakonomics? There is a chapter in the book where the author basically proves that Sumo wrestling is corrupt.

One striking example of the authors' creative use of economic theory involves demonstrating the existence of cheating among Sumo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo) wrestlers. In a Sumo tournament, all wrestlers compete in fifteen matches and stay in the top league if they win at least 8 of them. The Sumo community is very close-knit, and all of the wrestlers at the top levels tend to know each other well. The authors looked at the final match, and considered the case of a 7-7 wrestler (i.e. a wrestler with seven wins and seven losses, and one fight to go) fighting against an 8-6 wrestler. Statistically, the 7-7 wrestler should have a slightly below even chance, since the 8-6 wrestler is slightly better. However, the 7-7 wrestler actually wins around 80% of the time. Levitt uses this statistic and other data gleaned from Sumo wrestling matches and the effect allegations of corruption have on match results, to concluded that those who already have 8 wins collude with those who are 7-7 and let them win, since they have already secured their place in the league

Freakonomics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freakonomics)


We need this guy to do some data mining on NBA games to pick out the bad refs!

...I'm sure I'm going to be crying foul when we lose due to bad calls this year too. I've been telling everyone I know, that the NBA is rigged (for ratings purposes) for years....

...We need this guy to do some data mining on NBA games to pick out the bad refs!..

I would love to have that guy take on the NBA.

I also think (as I too have been telling folks for years that there's a slant to the NBA) that aside from the corrupt/gambling issue, the point of the matter is what many of us have said: These officials are either crooked or incompetent.

Now, in Donaghy's case, he's strictly crooked. However, for the rest of these cats if they prove not to be crooked (which I feel can still be defined by reffing games based on personal bias and/or league preference), then they are merely incompetent. In either case, they should be gotten rid of. Perhaps there may NOT be a huge underlying gambling ring, but I'm quite sure there are a number of practices in use by NBA officials that, nevertheless, call into question the integrity of the game. Which , at the end of the day, I would prefer to see addressed rather than a "whataryagunnado?" shrugging of the shoulders.

I still don't like the statistics that came out after Donaghy was outed. The ones that said that the big money won on 15 bets in a row when he was reffing.

That is the type of thing that could have been easily spotted by the NBA if they were really interested.

They need more data mining to sort through the noise.

I still don't like the statistics that came out after Donaghy was outed. The ones that said that the big money won on 15 bets in a row when he was reffing.

That is the type of thing that could have been easily spotted by the NBA if they were really interested.

They need more data mining to sort through the noise.

That's gotta be insanely obvious.

Otherwise it goes back to what Mike Mathis (former NBA official) was saying in that the officiating overall has become of such poor quality that Donaghy's actions went unnoticed.

That's gotta be insanely obvious.

Otherwise it goes back to what Mike Mathis (former NBA official) was saying in that the officiating overall has become of such poor quality that Donaghy's actions went unnoticed.
And looks like nothing is going to be done, after all.

It's obvious if the NBA had access to the betting data. But they were probably not getting the information from the casinos.

It would be interesting if they could appoint a full time independant auditor for officiating. The guy would have access to all of the Vegas data and could data mine the regular stats for irregularities.

It's obvious if the NBA had access to the betting data. But they were probably not getting the information from the casinos.

It would be interesting if they could appoint a full time independant auditor for officiating. The guy would have access to all of the Vegas data and could data mine the regular stats for irregularities.

Heck, I'd settle for that just to review their in-game performance.

Well, I'm not sure what we're arguing about anymore. Of course Stern has proven to be overly manipulative many times in the past. I'm just not convinced that there's anything shady going on with the coverage (or lack thereof) in the Donaghy case. I think the reason it's "disappeared" from the news is that...there hasn't been any more news. If something else does come up, I'm pretty sure we'll hear about it, and if it involves other refs fixing games, I have no doubt that it'll be a huge story. I'm not exactly defending Stern here; I'm just questioning how much power he actually has to make inconvenient stories disappear.

The NFL season is about to begin while the NBA season is still 2 months away. This is probably why much has not been said about the Ref. scandal and more has been reported about the Vick case.

I want you to know, I do see your point. And I'm a contrarian by nature, so the argument does resonate with me.

But at the same time, I am a fan who spends a lot of his disposable income following the sport. I don't gamble, so I can't claim losses because the scales were tipped against me in a secretive manner. Just the same, I invest time, interest and money into following the sport, and the assumption that it is somewhat fair is a key component of that.

I have long said the referees are incompetent as a group. Now I have a better understanding that the system is incompetent as well. Not in the, "what is really travelling" or "how much time is on the clock" sense but that there are not the safeguards or means to preserve the perception of integrity about the game.

I doubt I will be able to watch the Pistons lose this season, and short of a lot of missed shots, keep from wondering what the referee's agenda is each and every time they make a call.

And that to me is a bigger crime and more damaging than the Malice at the Palace. We know fans go to far, and we know Artest is a moron. We know that the players can be emotionally overboard and we know that the tension can run high. It's part of the thrill of being a fan, knowing that the sport is volatile enough to produce the best and worst from the athletes.

But the refs? The league? The system? The review process? Incapable and impotent?

We might as well take stats and scores and throw them out the window. Because those late game free throws, those technical fouls, ball handling violations are all suspect.

I want to see refs outed. I don't even care who they are. The ideal outcome would be for this to burn down the house, and force the NBA to admit failure (instead of blaming one guy, over and over) and rebuild with a new paradigm that they are smarter for it, and safeguards to preserve the fan's perception of the game that it has integrity.

Glory Hallelujah! (Hi Roscoe, I'm dogsitting where there is a computer!!!When I logged in to the forum I had 863 new posts to read!):)

It's obvious if the NBA had access to the betting data. But they were probably not getting the information from the casinos.

It would be interesting if they could appoint a full time independant auditor for officiating. The guy would have access to all of the Vegas data and could data mine the regular stats for irregularities.
According to a Vegas betting analyst being interviewed on local radio about 3 weeks ago it works the opposite of what you suggest. The other 3 major sports have some type of arrangement with Vegas sport books where Vegas takes the lead in looking for any unusual betting activity. Once discovered the game comes off of the board and the particular league is notified. Can't recall what else happens. The guy did state that the NBA did not follow the same protocal.

According to a Vegas betting analyst being interviewed on local radio about 3 weeks ago it works the opposite of what you suggest. The other 3 major sports have some type of arrangement with Vegas sport books where Vegas takes the lead in looking for any unusual betting activity. Once discovered the game comes off of the board and the particular league is notified. Can't recall what else happens. The guy did state that the NBA did not follow the same protocal.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense considering Sterns hear no evil see no evil approach. We need a commish who deals with problems better than sticking his head in the sand and hoping they go away.

Report: NBA disciplined six refs for violating anti-gambling rules

ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 21, 2007, 11:32 AM

In the wake of the Tim Donaghy betting scandal, the NBA has disciplined six referees for violating it's anti-gambling rules, according to a published report.

ESPN - Report: NBA disciplined 6 refs after betting scandal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3072928)

:hoops:

ESPN - Report: NBA disciplined 6 refs after betting scandal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3072928)



This sounds harmless compared to Donaghy. Here we just have guys that are going to get their hands slapped for going into a casino, which is an infraction of the league's anti-gambling policy.

Tough love Bill. I'm still anxious for Sheed to ask a ref how much they have riding on a game when they "T" him up. :pound:

Its like it never happened. Refs are the same. Stern has quited down some, we will see if it lasts.

David Stern acknowledged Thursday that more than half of his 56 referees had violated NBA policies about casino gambling, but said none will be punished because he felt the rules were outdated.

Instead, Stern said he is altering the policies, leaning toward allowing referees to gamble in casinos during the offseason -- except for betting in sports books.

SI.com - 2007 NBA Preview - Stern: No penalties for refs who gambled in casino - Thursday October 25, 2007 5:51PM (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/specials/preview/2007/10/25/stern.refs.ap/index.html)

Stupid rule, so he's changing it.

Still, he should have probably given them some sort of penalty for knowingly violating a rule, however stupid it was.

FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Donaghy's ex-classmate pleads guilty (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8040828?MSNHPHMA)


A former classmate of disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has pleaded guilty in connection with a betting scandal.



Thomas Martino entered his plea Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court to conspiracy to defraud the NBA, and faces 12 to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced on July 11.

FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Donaghy's ex-classmate pleads guilty (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8040828?MSNHPHMA)


I'm really amazed at how quiet the whole Donaghy scandal was. It does seem to be over now that they found the "one bad apple"

Since the others involved in it are outsiders, the things have quietly gone away.