NBA’s David Stern Scolds Chris Christie’s Sports Bet Effort

NBA Commissioner David Stern scolded Governor Chris Christie on Friday for a deposition the governor filed to allow sports betting in the state of New Jersey.

Stern stated that New Jersey “has no idea what it’s doing” by seeking to allow the betting, reports Yahoo! News. The scolding by Stern, as well as Christie’s deposition, are the latest in an ongoing legal battle between the New Jersey governor, the four major professional sports leagues, and the NCAA.

When he was asked how sports betting in New Jersey would harm the NBA, Commissioner Stern responded:

“The one thing I’m certain of is New Jersey has no idea what it’s doing and doesn’t care because all it’s interested in is making a buck or two, and they don’t care that it’s at our potential loss.”

The NCAA and the heads of all four major professional sports leagues in the US were questioned by lawyers representing New Jersey as part of the leagues’ lawsuit to prevent the state from implementing sports gambling. The Wall Street Journal notes that Stern is not the only one to scold Christie and New Jersey over the betting idea.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selif stated during the deposition that he was “appalled” to think New Jersey would consider sports gambling as a way to help them fiscally. Selig added:

“I know states need money. I really mean that. I understand all the problems … But gambling is so … the threat of gambling and to create more threat is to me — I’m stunned. I know that people need sources of revenue, but you can’t — this is corruption in my opinion.”

Along with Stern scolding Christie for the sports betting effort in New Jersey, the NCAA has announced it will relocate several championship events it had originally planned to hold in New Jersey next year.