Scab Refs Make Bad Timing for NBA After Sports Betting Scandal
The National Basketball Association advised teams to expect the regular season to start with replacement officials after the league and the referees' union could not come to terms. The move is a startling one, considering the Tim Donaghy sports betting scandal last year uncovered how tempting gambling corruption could be to even a full-time employee.With a demand for the highest level of transparency and integrity as the mandate for NBA officials going forward, many thought the league would ensure officials were happy with their pay, and guarantee the best possible whistle-blowers were on the court. But instead, the association will take its chance with untested officials, whose calls may be blown because of legitimate mistakes yet will surely give rise to suspicions and wondering.
Ron Johnson, the retired Army Major General who has been hired to oversee referee operations since the Donaghy case blew open, says his team will intensely supervise the new officials, not to ward against them but to help them.
"Yes, there will be more management, but not scrutiny," said Johnson in response to questioning about keeping a close eye on the replacements.
"We've got safeguards in place that apply to all our officials. There are strict policies when it comes to gambling," said NBA president of basketball operations Joel Litvin. "I don't view this as an added risk whatsoever."
Interesting that a league worried about the public perception of games if Joe the plumber can place a bet in Delaware instead of driving to Las Vegas (or calling to the nearest bar, to play with the neighborhood bookie) is so unconcerned about an area that has actually been corrupted and is more vulnerable than ever.
