NBA Commissioner David Stern says gambling probe limited to a rogue isolated criminal

 
NBA Commissioner David Stern has called the referee at the center of the alleged gambling probe Tim Donaghy, “a rogue, isolated criminal” during a news conference this morning held in New York to address, as described by Stern the worst situation in his 40 years working with the league.” This is the most serious situation and worst situation that I have ever experienced either as a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA or a commissioner of the NBA,” he said. 

Things could get worse for the NBA and its commissioner if other referees and players are implicated in the probe. While Stern is limiting his focus on Donaghy, fans and gamblers aren’t so sure. 

“I have suspected a fix was in play on numerous occasions over the years while betting the NBA,” said handicapper Reno Goldberg of Online Sports Handicapping (OSH.com). “I always thought basketball in general whether college or pro would be the easiest for hoodlums to infiltrate. I remember the scandal in the mid1980’s’s involving a player, John “Hot Rod” Williams shaving points in a few games while at Tulane University. School officials suspended the program over for a season or two over that. Williams was eventually tried but the case ended in a mistrial. Williams went on to a successful 13 year NBA career.

Stern denied having any previous knowledge of the FBI's investigation or of allegations involving Donaghy until after the Finals were over. The commissioner said the FBI contacted the league on June 20, and the two sides met the next day. Donaghy resigned July 9, though Stern said the NBA would have fired him, but was asked not to by the FBI for fear of hurting the investigation. 

Donaghy is expected to surrender to authorities later this week or early next week according to an unnamed law enforcement official.While the amount of money bet on an unspecified number of games is not known, one official said it’s in the thousands.