NBA referees news stories on Newser

NBA Referee Sues Sportswriter Over Tweet

John Johnson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:14:32 CDT

Another first in the world of digital-age lawsuits. An NBA referee is suing an AP sportswriter over what he calls a "derogatory" tweet issued during a game, reports Wired . The fuss began when Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis complained to referee Bill Spooner about what he thought was a lousy call....

Lakers' Whining Won Game 5

Kevin Spak — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:15:01 CDT

The NBA fined Lakers coach Phil Jackson $50,000 for complaining about the officiating in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, but the frustrated Nuggets think it was money well spent. They got whistled 30 times in last night's Game 5, and they’re angry, reports Mark Kiszla of the...

Mark Cuban Takes His Ref Gripes to Twitter

Katherine Thompson — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:02:47 CDT

When Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has disagreed with referees in the past, he's tended to gripe, shout, or bellow—and pay the resulting fines. But now he's also tweeting, notes Chris Matyszczyk on Cnet.com. Cuban posted a complaint about a no-call on a Nuggets player: "how do they...

NBA Pros Deserve Oscars for Crying Foul

Rob Quinn — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:00 CST

The grunts and bellows of pro basketball players approaching the hoop has become as much a part of the game as the dribbling, the New York Times reports. Players shout to alert—or, as often, persuade—the ref that they are being fouled before they take a basket. LeBron James,...

Donaghy Was Sole Gambling Ref, NBA Finds

Matt Cantor — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:25:01 CDT

No NBA referee other than Tim Donaghy, who’s currently serving time for gambling, has been up to anything illegal in the sport, a 14-month league probe has found. But the report’s author did have some suggestions for keeping the game clean, including a hotline for tips on suspicious activity and...

NBA Ref Starts Prison Term for Gambling

Peter Fearon — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:57:01 CDT

The NBA referee who admitted gambling on basketball begins his 15-month federal prison sentence today, reports USA Today . The conviction of referee Tim Donaghy, 41, has rocked the NBA, even though officials determined he didn't bet on the specific games he worked. An NBA-sponsored investigation into gambling and referees is...

Donaghy Gets 15 Months in Gambling Rap

Kevin Spak — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:37:53 CDT

Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in prison today for his role in the NBA gambling scandal, the Sporting News reports, a step down from the 27-33 months recommended by federal guidelines. Donaghy’s lawyers argued that the disgraced referee—who admitted to betting on games he officiated in pleading...

Do Feds Suspect Another Ref?

Katherine Thompson — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:03 CDT

While questioning former NBA referees about Tim Donaghy, federal investigators also asked lots of questions about another ref named Dick Bavetta, ESPN reports. Commissioner David Stern, however, insisted the league has no concerns about the veteran official, who worked Game 1 of this year's finals. Stern again suggested that Donaghy's...

Full-Court Press Won't Fix NBA's Image Woes

Katherine Thompson — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:38:04 CDT

It seems unlikely NBA commissioner David Stern would ever have arranged outcomes of important games, as disgraced former referee Tim Donaghy has claimed. But whether or not the accusations are true, the league has a Shaq-sized image issue on its hands, and strategies for dealing with the tarnish aren't in...