Silver: League encouraging 76ers to resolve probe
Commissioner also discusses betting, Sterling Brown
Silver, speaking Thursday before Game 1 of the Cleveland-Golden State matchup at the NBA Finals news conference, said he has talked with 76ers officials after the story about five Twitter accounts and how they were used was broken by The Ringer earlier this week.
The 76ers retained an independent law firm to determine whether Colangelo used the Twitter accounts.
That state’s officials have announced that full-scale sports betting will begin there at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, one day before the series between Golden State and Cleveland shifts to the Cavaliers’ home floor.
Delaware is the first state to take advantage of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that now permits states to allow sports wagering. Other states are trying to follow suit quickly.
The NBA has told states it is seeking a 1 percent cut of betting, which it is calling an “integrity fee” to help offset the costs of enforcement incurred by the league office and also to serve as a royalty.
“The real issue as we move to new jurisdictions that are legalizing sports betting is access to information,” Silver said. “That’s one of the things we have sought in model legislation.”
“It’s horrific,” Silver said. “For any of us, regardless of the fact that he’s an NBA player, it was difficult to watch.”
Silver said some NBA teams have had meetings with police in various communities, trying to improve relations.