NBA referee report finds no additional illegal activity
Basketball Betting Lines
10/02/2008 -
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA released the results of a review of
the league's embattled officiating program Thursday in the wake of the Tim
Donaghy scandal.
Donaghy, a former NBA referee, received a 15-month prison sentence for his
role in betting on NBA games.
Lawrence B. Pedowitz, a former chief of the Criminal Division in the United
States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, was appointed
by the NBA to review the officiating program and make recommendations.
Following a 14-month investigation, Pedowitz recommended significant changes,
but found no evidence of illegal activity by any referees other than Donaghy.
The 116-page report recommended strengthening the NBA's anti-gambling rules,
improving the enforcement of these rules and creating a "culture of
compliance" among all league and team employees, including through the
reorganization of the management of the referee program and the creation of an
anonymous hotline for gambling information.
The report also said the league should increase monitoring of games for
suspicious activity, and should increase efforts to eliminate the perception
of referee bias by making more information available about the referee program
and increasing access to the referees by fans and media.
"We are very appreciative of the effort by Mr. Pedowitz and his staff
considering the extraordinary nature of the review," NBA commissioner David
Stern said. "Mr. Pedowitz, who together with his team conducted approximately
200 interviews, was given the broadest possible mandate and was provided
unfettered access to our employees, records, data and video library to ensure
the independence and thoroughness of his report.
"We welcome the recommendations from Mr. Pedowitz in areas where we can
improve -- all of which will be adopted, and many of which have already been
adopted, including the hiring of Army Major General (Ret.) Ronald L. Johnson
as the senior vice president, referee operations. These measures are a
beginning, not an end. We know that the NBA's success hinges on the integrity
of our sport and on competition that allows teams to win based on their own
skill and performance. We expect nothing less from our referees than the
highest level of accuracy, professionalism and integrity."
Meanwhile, Stern has also asked Pedowitz to review the new program at the end
of the upcoming season.
"I have asked Mr. Pedowitz to continue his service by reviewing our program at
the end of the season to ensure that it comports with his recommendations and
aspires to the highest levels of integrity."
<< Mets give GM Minaya extension
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets officially signed general
manager Omar Minaya to a three-year contract extension through the 2012 season
on Thursday.
The deal also contains club options for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
<< Phillies slam Sabbathia, take 2-0 lead in NLDS
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shane Victorino hit a grand slam, and
Brett Myers tossed seven strong innings as Philadelphia downed Milwaukee, 5-2,
in Game 2 of the teams' National League Division Series.
The Phillies took a 2-0 l
<< Bears suspend DT Harris
Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears suspended three-time Pro
Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris for Sunday's road game against the Detroit
Lions for breaking an unspecified team rule.
Harris missed this past Sunday's victo
<< Rays 1B Pena leaves game
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos
Pena left Thursday's 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the
American League Division Series with blurred vision in his left eye.
Pena had appa
<< Colgate-Georgetown football game cancelled
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The football game between the Colgate
Raiders and Georgetown Hoyas scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled.
Due to an outbreak of norovirus on the Georgetown campus, the contest will not
be played.
Rays sting ChiSox in postseason debut >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Evan Longoria finished 3-for-3 with two
home runs and three RBI as Tampa Bay made its postseason debut a winning one,
with a 6-4 triumph over Chicago in Game 1 of the American League Division
Series
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Half Moon Bay, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning Women's British Open champion
Ji-Yai Shin fired a five-under 67 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of
the Samsung World Championship.
Paula Creamer is alone in second place at minus-
Phillies slam Sabathia, take 2-0 lead in NLDS >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shane Victorino hit a grand slam off
CC Sabathia, and Brett Myers tossed seven strong innings as Philadelphia
downed Milwaukee, 5-2, in Game 2 of the teams' National League Division
Series.
Knicks' Jeffries fractures fibula >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Knicks forward Jared Jeffries will
miss up to two months after fracturing his left fibula during Thursday's
practice.
Jeffries suffered the injury after landing awkwardly and breaking the
No Bull! Pittsburgh downs No. 10 South Florida >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LeSean McCoy ran for 142 yards and a pair of
touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 4:43 remaining in the fourth
quarter, boosting Pittsburgh to a 26-21 upset of 10th-ranked South Florida.
McCoy,
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