Stern denies NBA knew ref maybe was betting

NEW YORK - Calling the current gambling scandal involving one of its former referees, NBA commissioner David Stern called it the worst crisis he has had to deal with but denied a report that the league knew Tim Donaghy was gambling and continued to let him work games.

Stern held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss Donaghy, at the center of an alleged point-shaving scandal. The first question Stern must answer is what, and when, the league knew of the former referee’s gambling habits.

Donaghy is expected to surrender to authorities late this week or early next.

Donaghy officiated the last game of his 13-year NBA career during the San Antonio-Phoenix second-round series. Stern surely will be asked if the league could have — or should have — known of Donaghy’s problems by then.

The FBI is investigating Donaghy for allegedly betting on games he officiated during the last two seasons. He will eventually turn himself in at U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

Stern won’t be allowed to discuss many specifics of the case against Donaghy, but will likely try to clear up some of the conflicting reports relating to the NBA that are circulating. For example, the league said Monday that Donaghy ranked in the lower half of technical fouls called in each of the last two seasons, refuting reports he led the NBA.

Also, a person with knowledge of the FBI investigation into Donaghy told The Associated Press the league was unaware of the inquiry until after the NBA finals. But The Denver Post reported Sunday that the NBA was made aware of the probe in January