Tim Donaghy and his book have returned from the dead to haunt David Stern like any common horror-movie villain. Stern labeled Donaghy a rogue ref who worked alone but the just out of prison Donaghy says everybody from refs to “The League” were involved in fixing games. He was set to release a tell-all book via Random House but the publisher backed out because they either received or didn’t receive heat from the NBA. Apparently the VTI-Group has bigger balls than Random House.

The Tampa Bay-based VTI-Group has picked up Donaghy’s book and flipped the name from Blowing The Whistle to Personal Foul. Deadspin has a press release and all the details. Here’s the cover:

Donaghy’s book hits selected stores Dec. 4, and his partner in crime Jimmy “The Sheep” Battista says he has a book and 13 referees were on the take. That would crush Stern’s rogue ref claim. Seems the best move for Stern and the League is to get out in front of this story, do another investigation, and come as clean as possible. If there’s nothing to hide so be it but do something because ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away.

I blew up the quote across the top of the book just in case you can’t read it.

So Deadspin posts titles make for good cover quotes? I can’t wait to see how the following people pick up on the trend.

Jay Mariotti: “Jay Mariotti Tossed From Chicago Bar After Scuffle With Patron Over Cell Phone Pic?”- Deadspin.com

Kate Lacey: “ESPN Horndog Dossier: Katey Lacey”- Deadspin.com

Lee Corso: “The One Where Lee Corso Takes A Massive Dump”-Deadspin.com

Tim Donaghy Has Found A Publisher [Deadspin]

Tim Donaghy, aka The Gambling Ref, is out of jail after serving nearly 15 months for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce in the tips-for-payoffs scheme. Donaghy plans to live near Sarasota, Florida and is looking to get into sales or marketing. And he still needs a publisher for his book.

Blowing the Whistle supposedly airs the NBA’s dirty laundry regarding officiating. The excerpts talk about a star system, fixed games, and orders to extend series which would be shocking if these some tales hadn’t been floating around for years. Referees hold grudges? You’re kidding. Star players get the benefit of the doubt? GTFOH..

I’m not saying Donaghy is completely full of shit but the level has at least reached his mouth. My problem with Donaghy is that he had a chance to spill his guts, under oath, and all he did was give up a couple of gamblers.

The two alleged co-conspirators, identified by prosecutors as James Battista, a professional gambler with the nicknames “Baba” and “Sheep,” and Thomas Martino, also appeared in court Wednesday. They were ordered released on $250,000 bond after their arraignment on charges of conspiracy to defraud the NBA.

Battista’s lawyer, Jack McMahon, said a grand jury is expected to hear the case and, if indicted, his client intends to plead innocent.

“Mr. Donaghy walked away with a nice situation for himself. He is the linchpin and he seems to have worked his way into a nice situation,” McMahon said. “I don’t know if that is fair.”

If Donaghy created a nice situation for himself by snitching on two nobodies, how well would he have done for turning in all of the people mentioned in his book?

When Jose Canseco dropped Juicedpeople said I would sue if he mentioned me and I wasn’t using roids. Canseco survived.

Triumph, the first publisher for Donaghy’s book, backed out due to “concerns over potential liability” although a Donaghy rep says legal pressure was brought by the NBA. Either way, a book publisher wouldn’t be scared to print the truth. Why would Triumph be afraid of an NBA lawsuit if the book was on point?

I’m sure the refs make side bets and swallow the whistle at times but it’s the same as any other sport. The grand conspiracies by Donaghy contradict themselves, the league favors big market teams-the league wanted San Antonio over Phoenix, and even the casual NBA fan knows some variation of many of Donaghy’s examples. He reads like a bitter felon that’s looking for some starting over money.

If you can get past the bad quality of the vid you get a chance to see Tim Donaghy and Barry Bonds team up to rip-off Michael Vick and Pacman Jones. It’s hard to tell who’s dog came out on top since the dog’s are invisible, but once Barry broke out the bat it didn’t matter. Good to see Bonds and Donaghy are still earning a living even though they’re not working.

Michael Vick, Pacman Jones, Tim Donaghy, Barry Bonds, dogfighting, video, youtube, utube

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z58d25so0LU[/youtube]

If O.J. is gonna get ten friends together, it would have to include a whacked out bunch like this video. The Juice, Pete Rose, Michael Vick, Tanya Harding, Bill Belichick, Mike Tyson, Jose Canseco, Ricky Williams, Tim Donaghy, Pacman Jones, and Rae Carruth make up “O.J.’s Eleven.. Gotta love Belichick with the camera… I have one question though.. Where the hell is Al Cowlings? Not just in the video, in real life. He shook O.J. like Barry Sanders did Rod Woodson.

Tags: OJ Simpson, You Tube, OJ’s Eleven, Sports, Comedy