Topic: Referee Scandal

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's 2007 arrest revealed how officials can manipulate games to meet league preferences or gambling interests. Referees can influence outcomes through subjective calls, such as protecting star players like LeBron James or extending playoff series for higher television ratings. Because referees are employees following the directives of their employer, these manipulations often bypass legal definitions of bribery or fraud, making them difficult to prosecute.