Commissioner David Stern, faced with the nightmare scenario for any sports league, said the NBA would assist in the investigation "to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports."

The league identified the referee as Tim Donaghy, 40, who has refereed in the NBA for 13 seasons.

The New York Post first reported Friday that federal authorities were investigating a referee for allegedly fixing games over the past two seasons. The investigation involved members of New York's organized crime community to whom the unidentified referee allegedly owed money because of a gambling problem.

The case is currently before a federal grand jury, The New York Times said.

"We would like to assure our fans," Stern said in a statement, "that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again."

He said a news conference would be held on the subject next week.