Marty Mac: In scandal roulette, commissioners can't win

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/288411.html

Marty Mac's World: In scandal roulette, commissioners can't win
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2

The sports world has been rocked the past few days by allegations of now-former NBA official Tim Donaghy making decisions during games influenced by a tie to organized crime and his own gambling debts.

One of the NFL's highest-profile quarterbacks -- Atlanta's Michael Vick -- receives a federal indictment for alleged involvement in dogfighting and transportation of dogs across state lines for fighting purposes.

Mix in the ever-confusing and factually unprovable effect and impact of performance-enhancing substances in baseball, and one of the most popular questions recently has been: Which commissioner has more trouble on his hands -- the NBA's David Stern, NFL's Roger Goodell or baseball's Bud Selig?

Goodell took a forceful step Monday when he ordered Vick to stay away from the Falcons' training camp until the league completes a review of his indictment. Vick won't go to court until Thursday and obviously has not been convicted of anything. Yet it's easy to see why Goodell made such a potentially controversial decision, as it is difficult to see any positive in Vick reporting to camp.

The likelihood is there still will be picketing at the Falcons' training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga., even with Goodell's decision.

Stern gets the vote here for being in the biggest pickle. Besides the allegations against Donaghy, there was a report in the New York Daily News on Monday alleging the NBA had investigated Donaghy last year and had been told he had participated in gambling at a casino and in golf games and neighborhood poker games. Gambling is an undeniable no-no for NBA officials.

That the league had investigated Donaghy or been told he was involved in gambling has not been confirmed. If Stern acknowledges as much, however, in an 8 a.m. PDT news conference today, then the worst fears we may have had about this controversy become infinitely magnified.

It's difficult, if not 99.99 percent impossible, to believe Stern, who usually rules with the iron fist, would know of a referee's connection to gambling and allow him to continue officiating. If that is the case, it is Stern who should offer his resignation.

However, for a moment, forget the commissioners and whatever trials and tribulations they may encounter. Think about being an NBA official who never has been involved in gambling and having to train and prepare for an upcoming season that will be unlike any other.

Few observers have been more critical of NBA officials than me, but never was that criticism pointed toward a referee knowingly making a bad call for his or others' gain. When participating in sports, the only thing worse than feeling you are being cheated is knowing you're being cheated.

Then again, perhaps worse than either is being falsely accused. Certainly, that's the wide brush that will be used by fans across the country with regard to NBA officials. Whether players and coaches also will be muttering underneath their breath is another situation that will have to unfold.

Just how long this scandal affects the NBA and weighs on the minds of any or all involved is as uncertain as the effect and depth of usage of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

At least there ultimately will be a trial and conclusion to the Vick situation. But who doubts there will an amazing scenario to immediately take its place?

About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

As far as commissioners that can't win I think Goodell has the most to answer for - he delivered major suspension to two players before they even had an indictment against them. Vick should receive the same treatment. I personally believe that the NBA policy of waiting for the legal process to complete itself is the best policy but based on Goodell's actions and the precedent he has set he needs to act on Vick immediately.

 

[uolj]

As far as commissioners that can't win I think Goodell has the most to answer for - he delivered major suspension to two players before they even had an indictment against them. Vick should receive the same treatment. I personally believe that the NBA policy of waiting for the legal process to complete itself is the best policy but based on Goodell's actions and the precedent he has set he needs to act on Vick immediately.

Vick has been barred from training camp by the NFL, and Goodell has already said that they will discipline him based on their own investigation and before the criminal court process is finished. So really there isn't much there to be upset with him about.

Besides, player misconduct isn't that hard to deal with. You suspend the players for as long as you need to. Cheating attacks the integrity of the sport, which is why baseball and basketball are worse off.

 

[Spike]

As far as commissioners that can't win I think Goodell has the most to answer for - he delivered major suspension to two players before they even had an indictment against them. Vick should receive the same treatment. I personally believe that the NBA policy of waiting for the legal process to complete itself is the best policy but based on Goodell's actions and the precedent he has set he needs to act on Vick immediately.

The two players in question had more than indictments lobbied against them. They have been in and out of the courts for years now. In one instance, the charges are pretty serious, related to the shooting of a bouncer. The logic is that this is Vick's first "official" brush with the law, and he [Goodell] probably had no idea how big of a [poop]storm this would cause. As a result, he acted accordingly by keeping Vick out of training camp, and it would likely be in Vick's best interest to stay away from the team until everything is sorted.

 

[bibbinator]

Not too mention cycling...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/6914301.stm

 

[pdxKingsFan]

The two players in question had more than indictments lobbied against them. They have been in and out of the courts for years now. In one instance, the charges are pretty serious, related to the shooting of a bouncer. The logic is that this is Vick's first "official" brush with the law, and he [Goodell] probably had no idea how big of a [poop]storm this would cause. As a result, he acted accordingly by keeping Vick out of training camp, and it would likely be in Vick's best interest to stay away from the team until everything is sorted.

There are a lot of people (including myself) who consider Vick's actions to be at the absolute bottom of the barrel, far worse than a history of bar fights and petty violence. Not only is the dog fighting (and their heartless executions) disgusting, but breeding pit bulls in that manner contributes to the maligning of what was once a highly respected breed and creates the risk of dogs that may attack and possibly kill other people (often children). Barring him from training camp is not far enough imho, he should receive an immediate one year suspension like Pac Man got, minimum. If he is convicted and all the allegations are proven to be true he should be gone for life.

 

[Bricklayer]

There are a lot of people (including myself) who consider Vick's actions to be at the absolute bottom of the barrel, far worse than a history of bar fights and petty violence. Not only is the dog fighting (and their heartless executions) disgusting, but breeding pit bulls in that manner contributes to the maligning of what was once a highly respected breed and creates the risk of dogs that may attack and possibly kill other people (often children). Barring him from training camp is not far enough imho, he should receive an immediate one year suspension like Pac Man got, minimum. If he is convicted and all the allegations are proven to be true he should be gone for life.

Can't do that off of allegations though. In fact it might even be illegal -- ruin his career and take away years and dollars he can probably never get back wihtout a conviction or indisputable fact base would be hard. The charges are disgusting, and even with the nutty racial divide thing going on its really hard to imagine him going out there in front of 80,000 people and playing every week with those kinds of things hanging in the air. But it still hasn't been proven. Nro have the facts placing Vick at the scenese been confirmed yet. I think it highly likely myself, but in a sport where you only play so long, sign contracts whihc can be voided, depend on endorsements etc. you are going to have an awfully hard time justifying booting him out until everyhting is clearer. If you are wrong in particular you get the pants sued off of you.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Can't do that off of allegations though. In fact it might even be illegal -- ruin his career and take away years and dollars he can probably never get back wihtout a conviction or indisputable fact base would be hard. The charges are disgusting, and even with the nutty racial divide thing going on its really hard to imagine him going out there in front of 80,000 people and playing every week with those kinds of things hanging in the air. But it still hasn't been proven. Nro have the facts placing Vick at the scenese been confirmed yet. I think it highly likely myself, but in a sport where you only play so long, sign contracts whihc can be voided, depend on endorsements etc. you are going to have an awfully hard time justifying booting him out until everyhting is clearer. If you are wrong in particular you get the pants sued off of you.

Except for the fact that the precedent for a season long suspension pre-indictment was set about two months ago I'd agree with you 100%. I thought Goodell was a complete fool and that it would come back and bite him, just never expected it to happen so quick.

 

[uolj]

There is very little, if any, hypocrisy going on here. I'm not sure where you are seeing it.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I hope and pray this is the end of David Stern.

 

[mcsluggo]

There are a lot of people (including myself) who consider Vick's actions to be at the absolute bottom of the barrel, far worse than a history of bar fights and petty violence. Not only is the dog fighting (and their heartless executions) disgusting, but breeding pit bulls in that manner contributes to the maligning of what was once a highly respected breed and creates the risk of dogs that may attack and possibly kill other people (often children). Barring him from training camp is not far enough imho, he should receive an immediate one year suspension like Pac Man got, minimum. If he is convicted and all the allegations are proven to be true he should be gone for life.

You've gotta be kidding.... dogfighting is worse than the shooting of a human being?

Also, weren't PitBulls were ALWAYS bred to be dogfighters, if they were a highly respected breed, it was for their strength and fighting ability.