Tim Donaghy

Tim Donaghy — Career, Scandal, and Aftermath

Discover the biography of Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee whose career ended in scandal. Learn about his life, rise in officiating, the 2007 betting controversy, legal consequences, and legacy.

Introduction

Timothy Francis Donaghy (born January 7, 1967) is an American former professional basketball referee who officiated in the NBA from 1994 until his resignation in 2007. The scandal damaged both his reputation and public trust in sports officiating, and it remains one of the more notorious controversies in American professional sports.

Early Life & Background

• Birth & Family: He was born on January 7, 1967, in Havertown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

• Education: He attended Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from Villanova University in 1989.

• Family Influence: His father, Gerry Donaghy, was a longtime NCAA basketball referee, providing a familial connection to officiating.

• Athletics: During high school, Donaghy participated in basketball and baseball, earning honors in regional athletics (though some claims about his sports accolades are disputed).

Officiating Career

Beginnings & Rise

Before joining the NBA, Donaghy officiated for several years in Pennsylvania high schools and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

In 1994, he began his career as a referee in the NBA. Over his tenure, he officiated 772 regular-season games and 26 playoff games.

He gained experience handling high-profile games, including playoff matchups.

On-Court Incidents

• In 2003, he called a technical foul on Rasheed Wallace for throwing a ball at another official; Wallace responded with verbal confrontation, and was suspended.

• He was one of the referees during the infamous “Pacers–Pistons brawl” game in 2004, a chaotic and high-tension contest that spilled into the stands.

These incidents reflect that Donaghy was no stranger to contentious or emotionally charged games, though none of them, in isolation, foretell the scandal to come.

The Betting Scandal

Investigation & Public Exposure

In July 2007, reports surfaced that the FBI was investigating an NBA referee suspected of betting on games. The implicated referee was soon revealed as Donaghy.

Over time, it emerged that he admitted to betting on games he officiated over multiple seasons (2003–04 through 2006–07).

He allegedly used coded signals and inside knowledge of player/referee relationships and conditions to tip off gamblers about how games would play out.

Legal Case & Plea

On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce.

He revealed that he would receive per-correct “picks” payments (initially about $2,000, later rising) for gambling tips he conveyed.

He also claimed to suffer from a serious gambling addiction, which he said contributed to his misconduct.

On July 29, 2008, he was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, plus supervised release.

He served 11 months in prison, and then the remainder in a halfway house. However, he was briefly returned to prison in August 2009 for violating release terms.

He was formally released on November 4, 2009.

Aftermath & Claims

After his release, Donaghy published an autobiography, Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal That Rocked the NBA (2009).

Many of his later statements and allegations—such as claims that the NBA orchestrated certain calls or pressured referees—have been challenged or debunked by independent scrutiny and legal authorities.

Donaghy has also been active in public speaking, using his story as a cautionary tale about the temptations and consequences of corruption and gambling.

Personal Life & Later Incidents

• Donaghy married his wife, Kimberly, in 1995; they have four daughters.

• In December 2017, Donaghy was arrested for aggravated assault, reportedly after an altercation over concerns about one of his daughters.

• In 2021, he made a guest appearance as a referee in a professional wrestling context (MLW), adopting a “crooked ref” persona referencing his past scandal.

• In recent years, he has spoken publicly about sports integrity, gambling regulation, and his own experiences as a warning to others.

Legacy & Impact

On Sports & Officiating

• The Donaghy scandal was a major shock to the credibility of professional sports officiating. It raised awareness about the vulnerabilities of referees to corruption.

• In response, the NBA tightened its rules regarding referee conduct, enhanced oversight, background checks, and monitoring of betting behavior.

• The scandal also sparked public debate about transparency in sports and the limits of trust in “inside” participants.

As a Symbol

Tim Donaghy serves as a cautionary figure: his rise and fall underscores how insider roles carry both power and temptation. He demonstrates how ethical lapses—even by relatively “ordinary” professionals—can have ripple effects beyond a single person, affecting institutional integrity.

His continued visibility and commentary keep the story alive as a warning to officials, athletes, and fans about the dangers of blurred boundaries in sports.