Key Takeaways
- Disgraced ex-referee Tim Donaghy warns the current NBA gambling scandal is just the “tip of the iceberg.”
- He predicts a “bigger scandal” is imminent at the college level, where student-athletes may be fixing games.
- An FBI crackdown resulted in over 30 arrests across 11 states, with ties to major New York mafia families.
- High-profile names like Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones face charges in the scandal.
A former NBA referee who served prison time for game-fixing has issued a stark warning, stating that the league’s current gambling scandal is merely the beginning. Tim Donaghy believes a much larger controversy, centered on college basketball, is about to erupt.
“Bigger Scandal” Predicted for College Basketball
Speaking on NewsNation, Donaghy predicted, “You’re going to see maybe a bigger scandal coming out of college.” He explained that young athletes who don’t expect to turn professional are vulnerable to offers to fix games for quick cash, even for marginal point spreads, to support their families.
His warning coincided with an NCAA announcement that three former Eastern Michigan players were penalized for refusing to cooperate with a sports betting investigation.
Major FBI Crackdown and Mafia Links
In a sweeping operation, FBI Director Kash Patel announced more than 30 arrests connected to illegal gambling and organized crime. The 11-state probe uncovered two main rings: one for rigged poker games using advanced cheating technology, and another for insider sports betting.
Both operations were allegedly backed by members of New York’s infamous Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese crime families.
High-Profile NBA Figures Implicated
Among those charged are prominent basketball names. , an NBA champion and Hall of Famer, was implicated in the poker scheme. Terry Rozier faces charges related to sports betting and alleged prop bet manipulation, while Damon Jones has been linked to both criminal rings.
The arrests also included several reputed mob figures and professional poker players.
Donaghy’s Personal Experience with Corruption
Donaghy, who spent 11 months in prison after a 2007 FBI investigation, sees parallels between the current scandal and his own past. He reportedly made over $300,000 by leaking inside information to bookies and claimed the Gambino crime family coerced him into the scheme, highlighting the persistent pressures and temptations within the sport.
