All Bets Are Off

There are plenty of dark clouds over the sports landscape right now. Most currently are the Barry Bonds home run chase marred by steroid allegations and Michael Vick's dogfighting scandal. And now we have something to really worry about: An NBA referee allegedly has been caught gambling on NBA games, including ones in which he officiated. Tim Donaghy, a 13 year veteran, is under investigation by the FBI for not only betting on games in which he was involved, but also for links to organized crime. And now there is wide speculation that other referees are involved. While that is just speculation at this point, it is a terrifying thought to anyone who enjoys sports; and not just basketball. Even more than steroids, fixing games is the most dangerous attack on the foundation of the integrity of sports.
Many of the details of this story are not yet available, as this is still an ongoing investigation. But what is known is that NBA commissioner David Stern has effectively ended Donaghy's career in officiating. It will be interesting to see over the course of this investigation, and when the indictment finally comes out, what exactly Donaghy did, who he did it with, who he did it for, and how much he did it. If this case ends up being the worst case scenario (or even if its not worst case), with numerous referees being involved with illegal gambling rings, specifically the games they work, that will have a lasting impact on the integrity of sports. As of right now, how often is a referee criticized for calling a game too lopsided. Just about every game, and even more in hotly-contested games. Now imagine a number of referees being convicted of fixing games. No referee will be fairly viewed, just like no baseball slugger from the mid to late 1990's is viewed fairly. They all are, and would be, guilty by association.
Officials are the one constant in all of sports through all eras and all levels. They take a lot of heat, but they perform a nearly impossible task game in and game out. Hopefully this is just an isolated incident. And hopefully this will cause all the sports league, at every level, to keep closer tabs on their officials to make sure this never happens again. Because if we lose trust in the officials, all bets are off (no pun intended, but I kind of like it)