NBA’s Stern scolds Christie on sports bet effort

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern takes Gov. Chris Christie to task for his efforts to allow sports gambling in New Jersey.

Stern made his comments in a deposition in a lawsuit filed by the four major pro sports leagues — the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL — and the NCAA.

The deposition was taken last month in New York and published as part of a legal filing Friday. Stern says he’s troubled that Christie, a former U.S. Attorney, would “choose to attack a federal law.”

He also says 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” by sanctioning sports gambling.

A 1992 federal law bans sports betting in all but four states.

A judge is expected to rule on the New Jersey case this month.