The commissioners denied him, Mr. Ryan said.

The commissioner denied the suggestion that the move was a suspension of operations.

Current commissioners and some other religious-freedom advocates deny the claims of bias.

They and all other commissioners deny reaching any decisions yet.

The commissioner denied that the Internal Affairs changes were motivated by criticism or by the Mayor's plan to name a special investigator.

The commissioners, who are paid about $200,000 a year, had denied any wrongdoing.

A second commissioner denied the accusation.

The commissioner denied that the league's action short-circuiting the new season constituted a lockout; he said he was simply postponing the start of the season.

David Stern, the commissioner, and Simon Gourdine, the union's executive director, strongly denied they have an agreement.

Mr. Clinton and the commissioner deny giving any preferential treatment.