The Best Interests of the League: Referee Betting Scandal Brings Commissioner Authority and Collective Bargaining Back to the Frontcourt in the NBA, Sports Lawyers Journal
“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.” 1 These were the words of current National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern on July 24, 2007, when he addressed the media for the first time regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) indictment of thirteen-year-veteran league referee Tim Donaghy’s involvement in a gambling scandal spanning two entire seasons. 2 Commissioner Stern explained that he felt betrayed “by what happened on behalf of the sport,” regardless of how protective the NBA had been to avert the possibility. 3
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