Las Vegas could play a key role in NBA referee investigation
While people love to recite the slogan, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” it’s really not true.
As evidenced by the ongoing FBI investigation into NBA referee Tim Donaghy, what happens here does have an impact on lives and circumstances outside of the Las Vegas Valley.
Perhaps those who brand the Las Vegas destination are discouraged that Sin City is mentioned in connection with news reports about 40 year-old Donaghy, who purportedly worked with mobsters to fix margins and outcomes of NBA games to pay off gambling debts. It sounds so old school Vegas, doesn’t it?
His 13-year career as an NBA ref ended earlier this month following the allegations that he bet on games that he officiated.
NBA commissioner David Stern is speaking now in New York City to answer reporter’s questions about the investigation. He outlined the steps the NBA takes to train and monitor its referees and reaffirmed that gambling or assisting others who gamble on the league's games would result in disciplinary action, most likely disbarment from the job and league.
Las Vegas has been mentioned several times thus far: in connection with an NBA consultant from Las Vegas who monitors sports betting, as well as the league’s relationship with the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Certainly this case, whether bets were made in Atlantic City or here, will have an impact on sports betting in Las Vegas.
And certainly there will be a string of media citing this as yet another example of why Las Vegas should never have a professional sports team. (Read our previous post about professional sports in Las Vegas.)
And if you did it, Mr. Donaghy, shame on you for bringing disgrace to the NBA and the illustrious pastime of gambling.
A lot of Las Vegas newspapers have been covering the NBA referee investigation. Even Las Vegas radio stations were covering this story! While Las Vegas restaurants and bars are usually filled with talk of scandal, by Vegas standards, this one ranks pretty high.
