Donaghy pleads guilty

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I expect a hefty fine, a long probation including counseling and medication, travel restrictions, and possibly a monitoring device along with either very little or no time in a federal lockup facility.

The worst punishment would be to have him ref Mark's TBA youth ball for five years. He'd have to deal with all those parents..

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

The worst punishment would be to have him ref Mark's TBA youth ball for five years. He'd have to deal with all those parents..

Actually, Juulie - he probably wouldn't do too badly. As you know, the traveling rule in the NBA is about the same as ours is in 3rd grade games - practically nonexistent.

In fact, I'd probably get a real kick out of seeing Tim call a 3rd grader for a "loose ball foul", especially if it made a little girl cry.

[UMP25]

Report: Donaghy set to implicate up to 20 additional NBA Referees.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293662,00.html

[blindzebra1]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Report: Donaghy set to implicate up to 20 additional NBA Referees.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293662,00.html

Damm,if this is true,it would make the soccer scandal seem like a office betting pool

[Brad]

Originally Posted by blindzebra1

Damm,if this is true,it would make the soccer scandal seem like a office betting pool

"The specifics of the gambling allegations are reportedly believed to include betting in casinos, which referees are banned from doing by NBA regulations."

If all he can do is name other NBA officials that have played blackjack or craps in a casino, this is a non-story. Sure, the NBA prohibits their officials from visiting casinos, but that is not illegal and is nothing compared to the allegations that Donaghy faces.

FYI -- Donaghy's guilty plea and other information at the Smoking Gun

[UMP25]

We shall see, as time will, indeed, tell.

P.S. Hello to The Woodlands, Brad. I was just there earlier this month visiting my brother and his family. My nephew turns 6 today and I went down for his birthday and vacation. I'm down there every couple months and will return second weekend in November for my niece's birthday. You wouldn't happen to know any big-wigs in the Conroe Independent School District, would you, particularly The Woodlands High School or College Park High School?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by UMP25

We shall see, as time will, indeed, tell.

P.S. Hello to The Woodlands, Brad. I was just there earlier this month visiting my brother and his family. My nephew turns 6 today and I went down for his birthday and vacation. I'm down there every couple months and will return second weekend in November for my niece's birthday. You wouldn't happen to know any big-wigs in the Conroe Independent School District, would you, particularly The Woodlands High School or College Park High School?

Big wigs? Not sure... Depends on what you need... LOL

Email me and I'll let you know if I can help you out...

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Brad

"The specifics of the gambling allegations are reportedly believed to include betting in casinos, which referees are banned from doing by NBA regulations."

If all he can do is name other NBA officials that have played blackjack or craps in a casino, this is a non-story. Sure, the NBA prohibits their officials from visiting casinos, but that is not illegal and is nothing compared to the allegations that Donaghy faces.

FYI -- Donaghy's guilty plea and other information at the Smoking Gun

How is it a non-story?!?!?!!?!? If he names all those refs and they admit or are proven by NBA to have violated the NBA rules don't you think the NBA would be under incredible pressure to dump them??? The story would be the huge turnover in officials in the NBA next season.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by TXMike

How is it a non-story?!?!?!!?!? If he names all those refs and they admit or are proven by NBA to have violated the NBA rules don't you think the NBA would be under incredible pressure to dump them??? The story would be the huge turnover in officials in the NBA next season.

I would expect them to be fined or disciplined but not dumped. 20 refs from the NBA gone all at once? I seriously doubt it. If betting in casinos is really the only infraction. It's at least possible that Donaghy is using this plus the guilty plea to just save some shred of dignity. The NBA may blow it up big to help him save dignity, but I seriously doubt they'd really dump that many refs.

[TXMike]

I don't recall a crisis in confidence in NBA officiating in my lifetime that matches this. It is at times like this when institutional leaders sometimes make dramatic changes in an attempt to make it seem they are truly making changes. All I am saying is that it is not beyond the pale to consider they might make such a drastic decision. It is not unheard of you know. (remember all the past labor actions by pro officials in various sports where the respective leagues went with replacements?)

[blindzebra1]

[quote=rainmaker]I would expect them to be fined or disciplined but not dumped. 20 refs from the NBA gone all at once? I seriously doubt it. If betting in casinos is really the only infraction. It's at least possible that Donaghy is using this plus the guilty plea to just save some shred of dignity. The NBA may blow it up big to help him save dignity, but I seriously doubt they'd really dump that many refs.



I AGREE WITH RAINMAKER,THE PRESSURE ON THE COMMISH WOULD BE TREMENDOUS,HEADS MAY ROLL,BUT NOT THAT MANY, IT WOULD ONLY WORSTEN THE NBA`S IMAGE. BUT THE PENALTIES,WOULD BE SEVERE.AND OF COURSE REMEMBER, THIS WAS NOT BETTING ON GAMES.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I would expect them to be fined or disciplined but not dumped. 20 refs from the NBA gone all at once? I seriously doubt it.

QFT

[Brad]

Originally Posted by TXMike

How is it a non-story?!?!?!!?!? If he names all those refs and they admit or are proven by NBA to have violated the NBA rules don't you think the NBA would be under incredible pressure to dump them??? The story would be the huge turnover in officials in the NBA next season.

It's a non story because it will not involve gambling on NBA games, their own games, or sports betting in general -- there is no way that 20 NBA officials are caught up in this. I doubt that there is even one other NBA official involved.

I don't think the NBA is going to fire an official because he played blackjack or craps a few times. But, personally, I doubt the veracity of what Donaghy is putting out there right now. He doesn't exactly have a lot of credibility as far as I'm concerned.

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Brad

It's a non story because it will not involve gambling on NBA games, their own games, or sports betting in general -- there is no way that 20 NBA officials are caught up in this. I doubt that there is even one other NBA official involved.

I don't think the NBA is going to fire an official because he played blackjack or craps a few times. But, personally, I doubt the veracity of what Donaghy is putting out there right now. He doesn't exactly have a lot of credibility as far as I'm concerned.

LIke I said, part of the deal will be a polygraph. If he passes, the NBA will be forced to do an internal investigation. Should not be too hard to prove, assuming any betting refs don't just go ahead and admit it. Once it is proved, then the NBA is forced to make a decision. Dump 'em or just discipline some other way. If memory serves, didn't they hire back some guys a few years ago after they were convicted in tax cases? There is precedent for them being lenient. Just seems to me, the inertia of the current situation will force drastic action by the League.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by Brad

"The specifics of the gambling allegations are reportedly believed to include betting in casinos, which referees are banned from doing by NBA regulations."

If all he can do is name other NBA officials that have played blackjack or craps in a casino, this is a non-story. Sure, the NBA prohibits their officials from visiting casinos, but that is not illegal and is nothing compared to the allegations that Donaghy faces.

FYI -- Donaghy's guilty plea and other information at the Smoking Gun

Also, let's wait for an investigation by the NBA to pan out. This guy may just be naming names to try to take down the ship with him. If these NBA refs really were in any casinos, there's going to be videotape of it.