Here is a quick list of euphuisms that mean anonymous sources. Of course this isn't a complete list but as readers, we have grown so use to seeing them, we don't identify them as "anonymous source". 

"top administration officials"

"team sources"

"someone close to ...."

"someone with knowledge of the situation"

"party insiders"

"[sport] exectuives"

"[sport] scouts"

For MMA fans I am sure you have read this before, "a person close to X fighter's camp confirmed that he is indeed fighting person Y at UFC 144."

Oh my god, an anonymous source!

Now when an investigative article is published that uses anonymous sources, it is the job of the publication's editorial board to make sure that the reporter has done their job. This includes the disclosure of sources to the editors or an editor if the information needs to be as confidential as possible. Editors will also make sure that the journalist didn't rely on just one source. These are the normal checks and balances of within journalism. An for fans to assume that Sherdog simply didn't undergo this process, because Dana White got mad, is extremely naive.

[Note by Zak Woods, 04/06/09 11:22 AM EDT: Here is an example of political reporting citing nothing but anonymous sources in the form of "reliable Justice Department source advises me...". Oh my god anonymous reporting is everywhere!]