NEW YORK — The NBA-commissioned report spawned by criminal conduct and rampant accusations by former referee Tim Donaghy came to the same conclusion commissioner David Stern reached more than a year ago: Donaghy acted alone.
The 116-page report compiled during the past 14 months by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedo- witz dissected — and dismissed — in exhaustive detail accusations of widespread game-fixing, favoritism and misconduct leveled by Donaghy against his fellow referees.
The report, which was released Thursday, outlined wide-ranging recommendations — many of which the NBA already has adopted — to safeguard against criminal conduct by referees and improve the league’s officiating. The remaining recommendations — including the creation of a hotline for anonymous tips about gambling activity — will be presented to the owners at their Board of Governors meeting Oct. 22, when Stern said he will urge them to “implement all of them.”
• New York Knicks forward Jared Jeffries fractured his left fibula at practice and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Astana: Armstrong leadership no given
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Lance Armstrong might have to accept a supporting role to Astana teammate Alberto Contador in next year’s Tour de France, the team cycling director said.
Johan Bruyneel ruled out a departure from Astana by Spain’s Contador, who won the Tour de France, Italy’s Giro and Spain’s Vuelta in little over a year. The two will have to cooperate, he said.
“At the end of the day, the strongest rider will be supported, regardless of that person’s name or what they’ve accomplished in the past,” Bruyneel said.
• Operation Puerto, cycling’s biggest doping investigation that implicated more than 50 riders, has been shut down without a conviction.
• Riccardo Ricco was banned two years by the Italian Olympic Committee after admitting to doping during the Tour de France.
Shin atop Samsung leaderboard
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — Ji-Yai Shin shot a 5-under-par 67 to take the first-day lead in the Samsung World Championship, topping Paula Creamer’s 68.
Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam were only 17 minutes into their rounds and on the second fairway as the last twosome to start when the horn sounded and play was suspended for 26 minutes because of dense fog.
• Jeff Overton shot a 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Michael Allen and Steve Allan after the first round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y.
• Soren Hansen and Ross Fisher shot 8-under 64s to share the first- round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Former EA Sports CEO to chair USOC board.
Larry Probst, a longtime executive of EA Sports, was elected to replace Peter Ueberroth as the U.S. Olympic Committee’s chairman of the board. Probst, 58, will take office next month at the USOC’s annual assembly.
The Associated Press
