Video Summary

Veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghey, once considered one of the league's top officials, has been open about his past struggles with addiction to gambling. For four years, Donaghey secretly bet on NBA games, including some he officiated, making him a staggering 75% of his bets. In an exclusive interview, Donaghey revealed the secrets to his success, including his ability to predict game outcomes, and how he won by up to 80% of the time.

According to Donaghey, his addiction began with golf and card games, but soon evolved into betting on athletic contests, including the NBA. He would often make bets on games, knowing which referees were officiating, and using that information to make informed picks. Donaghey claims that his reffing was always honest, but his betting habits were another story.

The FBI investigated Donaghey's activities, and a 29-year veteran special agent concluded that Donaghey's reffing was not influenced by his betting. The NBA also conducted an investigation, coming to the conclusion that Donaghey may not have manipulated games. Donaghey's ex-colleague, Mike Mathis, also corroborated this, stating that refs often discuss their personal biases and prejudices in locker rooms.

Donaghey's ability to predict game outcomes was remarkable, citing his knowledge of referee-player and referee-coach relationships, point spreads, and the influence of injuries on game outcomes. He claimed that he knew which referees favored certain players, coaches, and teams, allowing him to make accurate predictions. The FBI and NBA investigations found no evidence of game manipulation, concluding that Donaghey's success was due to his ability to read the game and understand its dynamics. Despite his admission of addiction and betrayal, Donaghey's honest cooperation with the investigation spared him a longer sentence.