nba betting

In July of 2007, reports of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were made public, which alleged that NBA referee Tim Donaghy bet on games that he officiated during his last two seasons and that he made calls affecting the point spread in those games.[1] On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two federal charges related to the investigation. However, he could face more charges at the state level if it is determined that he deliberately miscalled individual games.
Initial reportsOn July 20, 2007, a report of an investigation by the FBI into allegations of an NBA referee betting on games to control the point spread emerged by columnist Murray Weiss of the New York Post.[2] It was later revealed that Donaghy, who has a gambling problem, placed tens of thousands of dollars in bets on games during the 2005-06 NBA season and 2006-07 NBA season and had been approached by lower level mob associates to work on a gambling scheme.[3] Mike Missanelli of the Stephen A. Smith Show suggested that Donaghy had gotten himself into debt and tried to make it up by betting on games.[4]
The report sent shock waves through the NBA. While the league devotes significant resources to monitoring officials' performance, it only found out about the affair when the FBI stumbled upon Donaghy in the midst of a broader organized crime investigation.[5] NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a 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