Tim Donaghy will overstate extent of betting | IXGAMES
NBA officials say casual gambling exists among their ranks, but at the National Basketball Referees Foundation Conference this weekend, their main concern was that Tim Donaghy would exaggerate the extent of the gambling. One veteran referee at the conference, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the collective bargaining agreement prohibits officials from talking to the media without the NBA’s permission, said the topic of private discussions this weekend among the referees was that Donaghy would try to better his situation at their expense. Gambling other than at a racetrack in the offseason is a violation of NBA rules for referees. Commissioner David Stern said Sunday that the referees need not worry about repercussions from Donaghy’s accusations. 
“Why would we believe anything he says?” Stern said. “What we’re going to do is give all 60 referees a chance to give us information about their activities, while legal, that violate our rules.” Donaghy, an NBA referee for 13 years, has pleaded guilty to two felony gambling charges, including betting on games he officiated. He has said he will name at least 20 other referees who were involved in gambling activities.