Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who was found guilty of betting on games he officiated, recently gave an interview providing an insight into his life in the NBA. Donaghy became a referee following in his father’s footsteps and after having two unsatisfactory jobs after college. After starting his officiating career in the minor CBA league, he got onto the NBA’s training program, slowly working his way up to become a referee in the major league. He described his early years as challenging, facing harsh criticism from players and coaches. However, he persisted and eventually moved up the ranks, also referring in playoff games. His salary grew from $80,000 a year plus bonuses to $300,000 when he retired. Donaghy goes to detail his gambling and subsequent FBI investigation, which led to his prison sentence. To hear more, check out the full interview above.
