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 Juiced
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.
