NBA Officiator Eric Lewis To Retire: Still Under Investigation For Burner Account?

The NBA announced in a press release on Wednesday that veteran referee Eric Lewis, who is regarded as one of the finest in the league and frequently works postseason games, has essentially resigned.

Lewis, 52, was being looked into for allegedly using a burner account on X, formerly known as Twitter, without authorization.

NBA Officiator Eric Lewis To Retire Soon: Still Under Investigation For Burner Account

The Blair Cuttliff account was protecting Lewis and other NBA executives from fans. Lewis’ alleged infraction of a rule prohibiting referees from discussing calls in public without the NBA’s consent was being looked into by the league.

The purported burner account was eventually deactivated, and its final message identified the author as Mark Lewis, Eric Lewis’s elder brother.

“Pablo, This is MARK Lewis,” the account wrote. (Older brother) Right family. I’m sorry that I put E, in this situation, but this ain’t Watergate. You’re right, the account WILL be coming down. Twitter should not be this vindictive. Sorry to inconvenience you.”

The NBA said it was looking into Lewis’ possible use of a burner account on social media in late May, shortly before the NBA Finals began. The NBA was investigating whether Lewis utilized a profile that replied to criticism of him and other NBA officials several times.

The league attempted to determine whether Eric had broken a rule that forbids referees from making public remarks about officiating matters without league approval.

Lewis wasn’t one of the 12 referees chosen to work the Finals. Lewis would have been selected based on his prior performance and postseason grades, a source with knowledge of the issue told USA TODAY Sports prior to the Finals. The speaker requested anonymity since they were not permitted to speak about the situation in public.

Lewis refereed more than 80 postseason games, including six Finals games, during his 19 seasons as an NBA referee.

Burner accounts have previously caused problems for a number of NBA stars. Despite being found using one, Kevin Durant subsequently admitted to doing so for amusement and to engage with fans.

A burner account can help an athlete stay under the radar at a time when virtually all social media activity is monitored extensively.

 

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