Six NBA Referees Disciplined for Violating Anti-Gambling Rules
One of the Five Stories to Follow this NBA Season I blogged about earlier was the referee situation. Tim Donaghy was the focal point of an FBI investigation on gambling in the NBA. Well, it turns out Donaghy wasn't the only ref who violated the league's anti-gambling rules. The NBA front office announced today that six unnamed referees were disciplined for violating anti-gambling rules.
Now, it appears that this isn't nearly as serious an issue as with Donaghy. These refs aren't accused of changing the outcome of games or shaving points through their foul calls. Instead, the infractions are more minor, like gambling at a casino. Clearly none of these six referees did anything too scandalous, as none of the six have been suspended. But still, it's another mark on a league that already has a battered image with regards to its officiating. And gambling in casinos can be the first step to more heinous infractions. After all, say that a ref has a gambling problem and racks up a debt with an illegal bookie. Might he try to right that debt by promising to call a game or two?
The information out of the front office on these disciplines and specific actions is limited, at this time. I don't know if they're planning on going public with this, anyhow. More information online at Report: NBA Disciplined 6 Refs for Violating Anti-Gambling Rules.