Stern, NBA must find a way to live with sports betting

	David Stern's news conference Tuesday included his extensive explanation of the NBA's program of referee oversight. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
	NBA Referee Betting Scandal Donaghy pleads guilty | Four games pinpointed BURNS: Guilty plea doesn't end NBA's headache WERTHEIM: How Donaghy's plea affects the NBA THOMSEN: NBA must find way to live with betting ASCHBURNER: Stern's legacy suddenly on the line THOMSEN: Other referees have cause for concern McCALLUM: Commissioner shows a different side BURNS: Fans will inevitably doubt Stern's NBA DEFORD: Betting probe like this one was inevitable MANNIX: An isolated case? Stern better hope so McCALLUM: The NBA missed some warning signs BURNS: Ex-Donaghy colleague expresses anger GALLERY: Infamous gambling scandals in sports SI FLASHBACK: Referees caught for tax evasion

On Tuesday, commissioner David Stern laid out the extensive efforts he has made to supervise his game officials. He made it sound as if there was nothing more he could have done to prevent the alleged betting scandal involving referee Tim Donaghy.

But, sometime before next season, Stern will have a much different story to tell. I believe he will introduce new measures to analyze the performances of his referees, as well as new administrators to oversee them. At that time, he will admit the measures that were in place during the 2006-07 season were insufficient and flawed.

He will have no choice but to admit he and his league had a huge blind spot that was vulnerable to a referee who allegedly bet on games, provided gambling information to organized crime and fixed the outcomes according to the point spread. He will have to make that admission in order to sell his new program.

By admitting to mistakes, he may be able to extricate himself from this mess. But he could not acknowledge those lapses Tuesday.

On Tuesday, he tried to describe the NBA's current measures as the most extensive program of referee oversight in pro sports. But there is clearly a gaping flaw in the current system. According to Stern, Donaghy was rated as one of the better officials in the league last season even as the FBI was investigating him for allegedly fixing games.

By no means did Stern express confidence that Donaghy is going to be the only referee involved. In response to a direct question, Stern was unable to say that other referees are not being investigated.

Stern added that Donaghy is contemplating a plea agreement. It stands to reason that someone who is trying to negotiate a plea may offer evidence that will result in leniency. Other NBA referees -- honest or not -- have to be nervous they will be dragged into this if Donaghy tries to work a better deal for himself.

Stern also admitted his oversight of the referees wasn't aimed at screening out criminal behavior. In doing so, he was basically confessing this scandal caught him by surprise.

"Doing the best you can,'' he said, "doesn't always mean that criminal activity by a determined person can be prevented.''

Of course this is true. But Stern will also understand, better than anyone, that to restore confidence from the fans -- and especially from the betting public -- he must offer fundamental change in his administration of NBA officials going into next season. He promised to seek out the best advice available toward creating a better system that will make it harder for this kind of scandal to reappear.

The ironic lesson is that Stern must find a way to live with sports betting. The fundamental truth is the NBA needs sports gaming more than the sports gaming industry needs his league. One of the worst things that could happen to Stern would be if people stopped betting on his games. It would be a symptom of mortal apathy for the NBA.

When fans are excited about a league, they bet on the games. It's a fact of life for the NFL and March Madness. None of the sports commissioners will admit it publicly, but all of them want their leagues to encourage fans in large numbers to place bets -- because it is a sincere expression of interest to put down money on a game's outcome.