Crawford excited about free time

NEW YORK, NY — After media, fans and players questioned the impartiality of NBA referee Joey Crawford in ejecting San Antonio Spurs superstar Tim Duncan – the ref reportedly challenged Duncan to a fight and later ejected him for laughing on the bench – NBA commissioner David Stern dropped the hammer.

Crawford has officiated at least one game in every NBA Finals series since 1986, but will not have that opportunity this year after Stern suspended him for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Strangely, the long-time playoff stalwart is anything but dismayed at the news.

“To be honest, I’m happy to get the time off,” Crawford told SSNN in an exclusive interview. “There are a lot of things I want to do with my life outside of basketball, and now I’m finally free to do that. My agent has been fielding calls nonstop since the suspension came down.”

According to Crawford, he is already signed on to join the WWE wrestling tour, with his first appearance at the May 4 Wrestlemania Revenge event, where he will square off against wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.

“I’ve always been a big wrestling fan, and now that I’m free from the NBA’s shackles I can live my lifelong dream,” a stargazing Crawford mused.

In addition to a full schedule of wrestling events, Crawford is reportedly being pursued by 21st Century Fox to star as Mickey Rooney in an upcoming biopic.

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!