NEW YORK, July 24 NBA Commissioner David Stern said the allegations that a referee bet on NBA games was "the worst situation" he's experienced while with the league.
Referee Tim Donaghy has been linked to an FBI investigation into gambling on NBA games. The New York Daily News Tuesday cited unnamed sources saying Donaghy would surrender to federal authorities this week.
Stern said the league was cooperating with the FBI and said he called a news conference despite requests by authorities not to comment on the case.
"We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assisting in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports," Stern said.
Earlier media reports said Donaghy had a gambling problem and was fixing games or shaving points to help people he owned money. Stern Tuesday said, "I understand this is an isolated case."
"This is the worst situation I have ever experiences either a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA or commissioner of the NBA," said Stern, who's been affiliated with the league for more than 40 years.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
