NBA referee Brown diagnosed with cancer, will miss rest of season Veteran referee Tony Brown, who worked his first NBA Finals last season, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will miss the rest of the season. The NBA announced Monday that the 54-year-old has been undergoing treatment since his diagnosis last month. The Canadian Press NBA basketball , The Canadian Press NEW YORK — Veteran referee Tony Brown, who worked his first NBA Finals last season, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will miss the rest of the season. The NBA announced Monday that the 54-year-old has been undergoing treatment since his diagnosis last month.