Letter to Big South Commish regarding Joe Forte

[B-Ball Assignor]

In the referee world you always make decisions. The referees who decided to work these NBA games during the lockout had to make that decision knowing the pro and the cons. Many turned the NBA down because the cons far out weighed the pros. If you accepted the NBA offer and worked you had to know there will be some backlash. I have that decision to make on the people who worked the NBA games.

[ncaambbref]

Moderator Mick:

While the lack of signature may indicate lack of sincerity to you, you failed to take the letter for its content instead of focusing on whether or not the letter is signed. The content of the letter is nevertheless true. That is what matters.

Regarding John Adams, he has publically already stated at NCAA clinics that unless you work in a high profile league, i.e. the Big 6, you will not officiate in the regionals. What difference should it matter to the NCAA if officials work the lockout. The NCAA season has yet to play a game!

Furthermore, officials who have mid-majors as their primary leagues have NO opportunity to advance past the 1st or 2nd rounds, no matter how well they officiate in the tourney IF they get selected at all. That is "elitist" treatment in itself. However, that is another story.

The fact of the matter is that Joe Forte should not exercise his PERSONAL agenda against officials who decide to take the opportunity of officiating in the NBA during the lockout. Another fact...17 of the veterans NBA referees were at one point in time lockout referees themselves. For Joe to treat them the way illustrates a bit of hypocrisy.

If an official makes a decision, he has to live with that decision, but to hide behind the title of assignor or coordinator of officials to hinder someone or attempt to control who they work for or when they work is nothing but an attempt to demonstrate power. That is NOT treating someone fairly.

Keep it real!!

[B-Ball Assignor]

Any referee will tell you that they have been treated unfairly sometime during their career. Coaches blackball you, conferences drop you, you don't move into the tournament, etc.. “It's choice--not chance--that determines your destiny.”

[bb_ref]

Let’s be honest, Joe Forte and all the other NBA referees have every right and reason to lose respect for the college referees who have chosen to work for the NBA during the lockout. Every “scab” referee who has agreed to work during this time has significantly weakened the referee’s bargaining position with the League. I commend those officials who refused the NBA’s offer. It’s ironic that ncaambbref says that it’s always been a dream of his to work as an NBA referee, yet he fails to recognize and respect the recent sacrifices made by Joe Forte and the other NBA referees as they demand fair compensation and benefits and fight for the integrity of their profession, not only for current referees but for all those referees who join the League in the future.

Ncaambbref, you have chosen to work for the NBA during the lockout, you are an independent contractor with the NCAA, and as an independent contractor you have never been entitled to game assignments in any conference. Those assigning referees to NCAA games SHOULD give the games to the officials who have shown their loyalty to college basketball and are not currently working for the NBA.

My guess is that ncaambbref didn’t sign this letter because he’s been advised that if Joe Forte is fired or publicly reprimanded based on these ridiculous and unproven accusations, ncaambbref will be defending himself in a defamation suit.

FACT CHECK: Joe Forte, Steve Javie and others REFUSED to work the lockout in the early 80’s prior to being hired by the NBA. Clearly, he’s no hypocrite.

[ncaambbref]

It is not defamation when it is true. Yes every official has probably been treated unfairly at some level (high school or college) and yes officials get dropped by conferences from time to time. But don't claim that we are independent contractors just as a matter of convenience. If Joe is going to do this to officials, why not make it known? Bottomline is, his treatment of these officials for this reason is TRUE! Everyone in the Big South knows it.

The game of basketball is bigger than any one referee and any one union. Everyone may have a difference of opinion on this matter, but bottomline, the GAME of BASKETBALL WILL BE PLAYED no matter WHO officiates it.

Also, I stated that 17 at one time worked during a lockout. I never said that Forte was one of them. And never did I mention Javie's name.

Let's pose this scenario: would it be right if high school assignors FIRED every official who got a chance to work Jr. College or NAIA? What if every DII assignor fired officials who worked DI? Silly as it may seem but think about that when you criticize this letter. Stand on principle...right is right and fair is fair. Period!!!

Oh yeah, and when you discuss that Forte is fighting for the integrity of their profession...let's not forget that he is a CONVICTED FELON!!! Let me say that again...FELON!!! Do you think the NCAA would let a felon work? But the NBA referees' union made it so that they could still be a part of the NBA. How many other jobs would allow a felon to make six figures? Give me a break...

One more thing...I never said that I was a replacement ref either. You assumed that...

Have a nice day.

[B-Ball Assignor]

When your job is to assign referees for ball games you get to pick whatever person you want, plain and simple.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by B-Ball Assignor

When your job is to assign referees for ball games you get to pick whatever person you want, plain and simple.

And an assignor serves at the pleasure of the league. If I was a commissioner and my assignor used a personal conflict of interest to make hiring decisions, I would be looking for a new assignor.

(And I'm just a little ole HS ref (who works an occasional JC game) who has no skin in this game whatsoever.)

[ncaambbref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

And an assignor serves at the pleasure of the league. If I was a commissioner and my assignor used a personal conflict of interest to make hiring decisions, I would be looking for a new assignor.

(And I'm just a little ole HS ref (who works an occasional JC game) who has no skin in this game whatsoever.)

Well said...again, right is right.

Yes, assignors are free to assign whomever they wish, but it should not be done based on prejudicial feelings or discrminatory in any manner. Because these officials took an opportunity, Forte exercised bias toward them.

BTW, word on the street is that he is under fire because of his actions. The NBA may not approve him to have outside employment (Assignor of the Big South) now and the Big South is investigating his treatment of these officials. So again, it is not defamatory when the allegations are TRUE! This may be the end of his assigning days...hopefully, anyway.