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By Mil ArcegaThe National Basketball Association is on the defensive1 as the probe into a betting scandal involving one of its referees3 widens. The FBI investigation4 into veteran referee2 Tim Donaghy's alleged5 gambling6 activities in and outside the basketball court has shaken up the league. It is also forcing some fans to question the legitimacy7 of professional sports. VOA's Mil Arcega reports.
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| Veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy is accused of betting on games that he officiated |
A federal investigation is focusing on as many as 15 games where Donaghy made calls that could have affected11 the margin12 of victory.
| NBA Commissioner David Stern |
Sources close to the investigation say Donaghy had a gambling problem and was working with bookies with organized crime connections to pay off his debts.
Gambling experts say it would have been reasonably easy for a seasoned referee to affect the outcome of a game. R.J. Bell at Pregame.com has noted16 some troubling patterns in Donaghy's record. "Last season, in the 15 games in which Tim Donaghy refereed17 in which there was extreme money bet on one side -- one team betting more [having more bets placed on it] than the other -- the bettors won every time. The odds18 of that happening by pure chance are over 32,000 to one."
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| Sportswriter Chris Broussard |
NBA Commissioner Stern assures fans the league is making every effort to restore the game's credibility. But some say that may not be easy. From coaches to players, to fans -- the disappointment is obvious.
"Every time I look at it now, I'll be concerned whether it's the right call or whether it's a call made to put profit in the referee's pocket," says one fan. "It could be a foul21 and he wouldn't call it cause he wants the other team to win," says another.
Donaghy resigned earlier this month after 13 seasons with the NBA.
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