Betting scandal leaves city’s NBA hopes alive

After listening to NBA commissioner David Stern discuss a federal investigation regarding alleged betting on league games by a former referee, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said he thinks the city still will be considered for a franchise.

"I came away very positive from his comments," Goodman said Tuesday after watching Stern's news conference. "He's in a tough spot. But I think he left the door open when he didn't want to juxtapose with the emotion of the investigation.

"At the end, he said they'll revisit the situation. He didn't shut the door, and I believe in the end that something good will happen for Las Vegas."

NBA officials were to meet Monday to discuss Las Vegas, but Stern canceled the meeting when news broke Friday of the scandal involving former league referee Tim Donaghy.

Speaking for the first time publicly about the scandal, Stern spent 70 minutes at a morning news conference in New York explaining the league's side to the issues involving Donaghy, who is accused of betting on NBA games, including some he worked, in the past two seasons.

When asked how the investigation would impact the possibility of Las Vegas getting an NBA franchise, a subdued Stern paused before trying to answer.

"I don't know," Stern said. "I think the ... I honestly think that the juxtaposition of a meeting of our committee on that subject which was scheduled for Monday and this was ultimately ... and I canceled the meeting, not out of any rational response, but my feeling about it was it was not something I wanted to juxtapose, and I think that in the course of the summer we'll think about that as well."

Robert Sarver, chairman of the Phoenix Suns, chairs a seven-man committee of NBA owners doing a feasibilty study on Las Vegas getting a franchise. Sarver said late Tuesday that Stern's comments should not be seen as a death knell for the city.

"I don't think it destroys Las Vegas' chances of one day joining the NBA, not at all," Sarver said. "I think the door remains open, but I need to sit down with the committee and discuss a number of issues.

"Certainly, the timing wasn't right to meet Monday, with everything that's going on at the moment. But in the next few weeks, we'll get together, sit down and talk about (Las Vegas) and then give a final recommendation when the board meets in October."

REI Neon, which is proposing to build a 22,000-seat arena near Main Street and Charleston Boulevard as part of a $9.5 billion project, met with NBA officials last week to discuss their plans. REI hopes to have the arena open by 2010.

Jon Weaver of REI Neon said in a statement: "We're not overly concerned about the commissioner's recent comments and do not believe it will ultimately affect the league's position to continue to consider the Las Vegas market.

"In fact, it makes more sense for the NBA to allow a franchise in Las Vegas now more than ever. The recent scandal should highlight the importance of legalized and regulated sports betting -- something Las Vegas sports books depend on for their very existence."

During All-Star Weekend in February, Stern asked Goodman to present a proposal regarding sports books taking bets on the NBA. The proposal was delivered in April and offered no change in the status quo.

At the league's board of governors meeting April 20, Stern appointed a committee to study Goodman's proposal and monitor the city's attempt to build an arena.

Since formation of the committee, there hasn't been much discussion about a franchise for the city.

Seattle SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett mentioned Las Vegas in April as a possible place to relocate his team but since has backed off.

Last week, Bennett's spokesman said that if the Sonics left Seattle, they would relocate to Oklahoma City.

Goodman said the city's recent track record with NBA-related events (All-Star Weekend, NBA Summer League and USA Basketball) proves Las Vegas is worthy of serious consideration sooner than later.

"They recognize the support the city has shown for the NBA," he said.