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Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal That Rocked the NBA

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This is the memoir of disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy. As most basketball fans know Donaghy pleaded guilty in federal court in 2008 to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce. Donaghy delivers to the reader a no-holds-barred indoctrination of how a boy who not only grew up loving sports and dreaming of playing or refereeing in the NBA one day... but also looked up to his Father whose life as a high school and college referee was the embodiment of integrity. When Tim fulfills his childhood dream of becoming an NBA referee... he exalts in the fame and fortune that this position provides. He gets to rub shoulders with the likes of Jack Nicholson... Spike Lee... and countless other celebrities... in addition to having superstars like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant... et al... currying to win favor from him... whether real or imagined... or what lies in between. In a painful self-evaluation the author paints a self-portrait of a man who literally became a degenerate gambling addict. In addition to contacts with childhood friends who became involved in organized crime and started "working" Donaghy for predictions of who would win specific NBA games... Donaghy slowly but inexorably... couldn't live without gambling. "MAKING 35 TO 40 BETS PER WEEK ON FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND HOCKEY, WE CONTINUED TO GAMBLE ON GOLF AT THE COUNTRY CLUB, CARDS IN THE BACK PARLOR, AND BLACKJACK IN THE CASINOS." Despite being a husband and Father of four young daughters... he lied to his wife and went to Atlantic City for binges at the casinos while telling his wife he was elsewhere.

But what was at the absolute despicable core of his illegal and immoral activity... was the inside information... that he was privy to as an NBA referee. And as a referee... the sanctity of the entire game... and league... rose and fell... at the hands of the referees. According to Tim... he never fixed a game... but he would call his associates... and at times... merely minutes before the game... to report unknown injuries... or team fatigue... to his organized crime cronies. In the author's defense... he does not for a minute deny his unsavory deeds... and his shame for the disgrace that he rained down on his entire family... from his Father... to his wife... to his kids... is palpable. But his admission of how easy it is to predict winners (he was right almost SEVENTY-PER-CENT of the time) based on numerous criteria... of which the most powerful tool he used in his betting "advice" was which referees were assigned to which games. And from here is where his proclamations draw the most attack by NBA commissioner David Stern and associates. Tim painstakingly describes over and over... which ref's had grudges against which players (such as Allen Iverson)... which ref's had grudges against which coaches... (and sometimes even owners)... which ref's had friendships with which coaches. Donaghy names names and gives example after example.

I played basketball at multiple levels in my life... and I am a basketball fanatic. I have been a season ticket holder and I read book after book on basketball... and watch it on cable and still attend games... so when I discuss the next portion of Donaghy's mea-culpa-combined-with-NBA- allegations... I'm not saying all of them are true... but his claims make sense... and I would say every allegation he makes... I have heard fans (including me) say AT LEAST ONE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-TIMES!" He says there are two sets of rules. One for star players and one for non-stars... unless the ref of that game has a grudge against that star... and believe me he will make that star suffer on a particular night. The NBA *DOES* care about who is in the playoffs... and how many games a series goes. Ref's can easily effect the outcome of a game in so many ways... such as when "SHAQ" asked a ref before the game to let some air out of the game ball so he would get a softer roll on his brick-like free throws.

What pleasantly surprised me about this book... was that... despite the fact that I knew the ending... I found myself anxiously reading to the next chapter to learn the detailed steps of the author's journey to embarrassing ruin... which of course was federal prison.

Despite the fact that you will have a distaste for Donaghy because of his misuse of trust and responsibility... he openly admits his guilt and disgust with what he himself did to his life. When he has to call his beloved venerable Father to tell him of the crimes he's committed... you have to feel for him when he says:

"DAD, I'M IN SOME TROUBLE, A LOT OF TROUBLE."

I always suspected that professional basketball was a little fixed. I'd watch basketball games and wonder why the stars got away with mauling another ballplayer but didn't get called on it. So I stopped watching NBA games because I figured it was fixed through the league office. This book just confirms my suspicions. Star players are given the benefit of the doubt on calls from referees.

A fan doesn't go to see Jordan, Kobe, or LeBron sit on the bench, the NBA and its army of referees assures the fan of this charade. Defensive specialists are sure to sit the bench with fouls because the league demands that the offensive stars are center stage."Star Stoppers" like Raja Bell would shut down players like Kobe Bryant, or at least slow them down and get him out of his game and interrupt his rhythm. If the likes of Raja Bell and Kobe collide, the foul certainly goes against Raja. Fans don't pay high prices to see Raja Bell, they go to see Kobe score 40 points. The league office sends out its message to let Kobe score 40 points. (page 64)

"Jordan Rules" refer to the treatment Michael Jordan got when he was playing. The league office tells refs to make a call on players but not on "Jordan." (page 26)

Sometimes if a game gets a little physically rough the referees will huddle together and start calling their "ticky tack" fouls on "the players who really don't matter." Fouls that if one player barely touhed another player, a foul was called. We would never call these types of calls on Superstars...It was important to keep the stars on the floor." (page 24)

In the 2006 NBA Finals the Mavs won the first two games at home. For the league office, this wasn't acceptable. "With millions of dollars of revenue on the line, a sweep by the Mavs was out of the question." In Game 5 of that series the Heat had 49 free throws to the Mavs 25.(page 82)

The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the LA Lakers and the Sacramento Kings is a stunning example of game manipulation at its ugliest. As history shows the Kings lost game 6 in a wild come-from-behind thriller that saw the Lakers repeatedly sent to the foul line. For other NBA referees watching the game it was a shameful performance by Dick Bavetta's crew. Read the letter Ralph Nader wrote to David Stern concerning this travesty.(page 98)

Page 100 tells the fixing of a game for the Lakers in the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Players who are liked get the benefit of the doubt on calls and the players who are disliked get all the calls against them - Allen Iverson is a great example. No matter how many times Allen Iverson was fouled and went to the floor, he would not get a call.(page 4)

Pro Basketball is fake, fixed, and favors the star athletes. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a superstar foul out. This book confirms what I suspected.

Don't watch NBA games, the outcome is predetermined. College games are true competition.

I loved reading this book. Tim Donaghy was very insightful on what goes on in the NBA. I'm a big fan of the NBA. The only problem with reading this book is that I can't take the games seriously anymore. Whenever there's a bad call, I see it as being fixed and not just a bad call. Also, I know the teams I love to watch, like Dallas and Phoenix, will never win a championship because the referees don't like the owners and the referees will throw a game to favor the people they do like. Tim's got nothing to lose and throws everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, under the bus. If you're a big NBA fan like myself, you can't miss this one.

This autobiographical account of the fall of NBA referee Tim Donaghy is worth reading for any NBA fan. For any long time observer of the game, it is apparent that the referees often manipulate the game and many, many times ignore blatant fouls/ while whistling nonexistent ones depending on the game situation or particular players. Everyone knows it. Announcers routinely say, "They are letting them play tonight." That is code for the referees are not doing their job and allowing mayhem out there. They also inquire, "How will the referees call the game tonight." That is code for which way is the scripted drama going to go. After reading Donaghy's book you will find out some of the reasons why this is so. He freely admits his mistakes although claiming his gambling did not affect his calling of any games. That is dubious even though it is in everyone's best interest to accept his claim at face value to make it all go away. His claims concerning certain games and referees have been virtually ignored by the NBA, the referees, the players, the coaches, the announcers, the commentators, etc. They want to convince us that he was just a lone wolf that went bad and we cannot believe anything he says because he is a convicted felon, except for the one true fact that his calls did not affect any games at any time. The game is pristine. The NBA has a vested interest in ignoring the message and pretending that it doesn't happen. Their prevailing and singular interest is MONEY from the fans, sponsors, TV revenue, apparel sales etc. and do not think the gambling industry is not involved. The NBA runs gambling commercials for Indian Gaming Casinos with virtually every televised game. Pretending that they have no connections to gambling and yet running their commercials is disingenuous at the very least. You may not like the messenger but the message in the book rings true to anyone that has observed the game over the years and stonewalling the problem is not a satisfactory response from the NBA. The book reveals important problematic truths that need to be examined and rectified.

The story of a good man gone bad. The story of years and years of hard work, down the drain. The story of bad decisions resulting in the rebirth of a new person. The story of the internal struggle between good and evil. The story of Tim Donaghy is both riveting and life changing through all the stories he personally relates to the reader. Growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, it seemed as if Donaghy would never amount to anything. Through hard work and many trials, Donaghy finally made it to the National Basketball Association and was able to run with the big dogs and superstars. In a reasonable amount of time, Donaghy was introduced into the wrong crowds and gambling habits mixed with poor situations, created a recipe for absolute and total disaster. In the end, he realized honesty was the best shot and although the mistakes he made were not reversible, he can still find the strength and faith to live each day to the fullest and be the role model he used to be for his daughters.
The second I turned the first page of Donaghy's book, I could not stop turning the pages. I read the book for three days straight trying to progress through all stages of Donaghy's life that he was so willing to share with the public and more importantly, the reader. The experiences Donaghy shared about various NBA players such as Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant showed that he was not the only one in the NBA that was at fault. Donaghy also discussed various superstars like Jack Nickolson and how they were relentless on the referees. The most valuable point in the 245 page book was that Donaghy did not place the blame on other people, he may have pointed out other flaws in the system, but never did he say that someone else was at fault and throughout the book, he took credit to all the mistakes he made. By reading this book, I was brought on Donaghy's level and I was so enthused with his writing that I had the desire to get in touch with him.
Before I continue recommending "Personal Foul" as a must read, I want to inform you that through the help of the publishing company, VTi Group, I was actually able to come in contact with Tim Donaghy. Although due to our busy schedules we have not been able to speak much, but I can tell you that Donaghy may be one of the nicest men I have ever spoken with. As I spoke with him on the telephone, Donaghy made sure to tell me that the message of the book must not be confused. Donaghy made sure to say that honesty was the best road to take. I could not agree with him more and I would do anything to help him with the message he wants to convey. On a one to ten scale, ten being the absolute best, I award this book a twelve. To help cope with life's issues of addiction and honesty, "Personal Foul" is a must read for all people.

Tim Donaghy had a great family, monetary success, his dream job, and the kind of glamour many people aspire to have. He blew it all in the process of getting caught up in his gambling addiction. But if there is any redemption in his situation it is an obvious acceptance of accountability. Personal Foul does not function as a plea for forgiveness or understanding; it is a frank and sometimes humerous tale of one man's journey of success and loss. Each of us has one. The difference is that this story has far-reaching consequences inside a beloved and respected American institution, the NBA. Even for us non-basketball fans Personal Foul is a fun read. It is very real, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always ringing of familiararity--making the wrong choice can have devastating consequences.

I saw the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs a few years ago in a game that was so badly officiated, even the LA sports writers called it possibly the worst officiated game of all time!!! It really was. Im an LA sports fan, but until now, all I knew was the Lakers didnt win it, the referees stole it for them. Like an old heavyweight, they were completely propped up by the most ridiculously outrageous calls, it was unbelievable. I have thought of that game over the years, the KNOWING that something managed to squeak the Lakers through, knowing that the playing field wasnt level to the extreme. This man finally answers it. He writes about the game. The NBA didnt want the lowly Kings to win that game, thereby eliminating the Lakers, and taking $$$$$$$ off the table. I love basketball, but money has corroded the sport to the core. It is a disgrace. The Stern fox is patroling the hen house. McG isnt such a great writer, but I find him credible. At this point in life, what else does he have to lose? Thanks for illuminating the obvious.

Tim Donaghy is worth reading. Forget about what he did. He admits his mistake. What is important is what he has to say about the integrity of NBA officiating. If you watch as many games as I do, then you know that refs are not merely incompetent. They are willfully changing the outcomes of games on a regular basis. Sure, Tim Donaghy bet on NBA games, but that does not mean that he is lying when he tells us that refs make sure that games are kept close and that certain teams are all but guaranteed a win. There were no surprises in Donaghy's book, just justification for what we have long suspected. Donaghy named a few names, but he could have named many more. I suspect that many of you who read this could add to Donaghy's list, too...and provide examples! Most of what Donaghy writes about has the ring of truth because we have seen honest officiating compromised over and over again! Buy this book! You won't be disappointed.

If you love watching the NBA and want to continue enjoying it while living in denial, don't read this book. If you want to know the truth about all the things you've wondered and feared while watching strangely refereed games, this book confirms them and then some (you Suns fans had a championship stolen from you in 2007, not to mention all you poor Sacramento fans). The amazing thing about Donaghy's tell-all is how simple and straightforward the whole process was.

Donaghy's formula was almost foolproof: by knowing which referees would be refing each game (and, from experience, know which referees disliked or favored specific players and coaches), by tracking the late-breaking directives from NBA management (which teams the refs were supposed to "crack down" on in order to extend series or help major-market teams win over small-market teams) and by keeping an ear to word from ballboys and mascots, etc., as to which players were sick or injured, Donaghy was able to pick winners about 80 percent of the time.

Now that last part (listening to mascots) is innocent, but the first two are complete and indefensible indictments of the NBA under David Stern. This is a league rotten perhaps not to its core (the players and coaches play and coach their hearts out) but certainly in the upper echelons, which makes it all the worse. Under Stern, marketing and profits have made the teams' performances more or less irrelevant, and Donaghy documents the corruption in convincing detail. No wonder Stern fought like hell to block this book.

The book bogs down when Donaghy talks about his personal path to gambling addiction and so forth, and you can basically skim through and skip those chapters. But the chapters where he explains how he was able to reliably predict which teams would win based on which refs were working the games (and penalizing players and coaches they disliked or favoring players and coaches they liked) is mesmerizing. After you read this book you'll have no more questions in your mind about what happened in Game 6 between LA and Sacramento or the 2006 Finals between Dallas and Miami.

When you're done you'll feel relieved ("Hey, I wasn't imagining all that stuff) but also sad to realize that not only is the fix in, it's in far deeper and more comprehensively than you suspected. The key question for me is what was the tipping point -- when did the league shift from more or less honest referee-ring to the utter marketing and manipulation that now takes place under Stern? That would be worth a book in itself, since it would tell us when to draw the line between championships that were genuine and championships that were awarded to favored teams by the NBA's focus on stretching out playoff series and ensuring that major market cities were more likely to make it to the Finals.

Tim Donaghy may have discredited his career with his gambling but he has give us an invaluable service by stripping bare the concerted and conspiratorial operation of the NBA.

This book confirms everything I had been saying to friends for years. NBA games are "fixed". I came to this conclusion after the Lakers Kings series game six in 2002. Donaghy confirms my suspicions. NBA games are set up to be a "show" like WWF, not a true athletic contest.