Personal Foul
A First-Person Account of the Scandal that Rocked the NBA
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4.3 • 123 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Uncover the true story behind the Netflix documentary Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul.
“The book the NBA doesn’t want you to read.” —Deadspin.com
Tim Donaghy loved basketball. In many ways, his zest for the game came from his father, who officiated high school and college games for over 30 years. After graduating from Villanova, Donaghy was unsatisfied with his career until he followed his heart and became a basketball referee, first in the CBA and then the NBA, where he officiated for 13 seasons: 772 regular-season games and 20 playoff games.
He loved his job, his family, his life. He felt like he had everything. And then, suddenly, he had nothing. He succumbed to a gambling addiction and to intimidation from well-connected criminals—and began using inside information to win bets for them. Following an FBI investigation, Donaghy pled guilty to two federal charges, and on August 15, 2007, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He was released on November 4, 2009, after serving his sentence.
This is his story, which provides a stunningly candid admission of his mistakes, as well as his insider’s account of the world of professional basketball. With a foreword by Phil Scala, the FBI special agent who worked the Gambino case, Personal Foul reveals how the fast life of professional sports can tempt and trap the unwary and unwise.
Donaghy has written an unforgettable page-turner, one of the most controversial sports books ever published. It will confirm your suspicions about the influence of the front offices of major league sports, while examining the corrosive power of money and fame.
From the Introduction:
I’m guilty.
For 13 years I was a referee in the National Basketball Association, living a glamorous life on and off the court, rubbing elbows with superstar players and celebrity A-listers. I suppose many would say that I had it all—a great job, money, a wonderful family—but it was all an illusion.
You see, during my last four years in the NBA, I led a secret life that would ultimately cost me everything: my integrity, my reputation, my career, my livelihood, my marriage, my family, and my freedom.
Customer Reviews
What a surprise!
I read this book, like most, out of curiosity. If you're an NBA fan I highly recommend it. Although its not exclusively about the association, it gives great insight into what being on the court was like. Some chapters are less entertaining then others but this doesn't detract from the book in the least. I was very surprised how funny a few of the chapters were. I know my wife thought I'd lost my mind a few times while I was reading the book since I almost fell out of bed laughing. Other parts have you seeing through the eyes of an honest man who made some terrible choices. You really gotta feel for T.D. as he realizes his boyhood dream only to lose it all ultimately. Highly recommended.
Good read from a less than good guy
The book is enjoyable for the die hard NBA fan or even casual fan. The author lays out all the inter workings of how the league works. While great for the reader, you can't help but cringe at how he specially calls out the names and actions of his "friends"/ex-coworkers.
Worth some thought
I don't know if everything Tim is saying is true, but is even half of it is true then the NBA heeds to take a long hard look at its self.