Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy believes the ongoing investigations involving Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier are just a precursor to an even bigger scandal.
The FBI arrested Billups, Rozier, and former player turned assistant coach Damon Jones on Thursday in relation to various allegations linked to gambling. Billups, who had to step down from his role as Portland Trail Blazers head coach, was tied to a rigged poker game operation in connection with Mafia organized crime families.
Rozier was accused of faking an injury to ensure certain prop bets on his performance would cash. Jones allegedly sent inside information on LeBron James’ injury status to a supposed co-conspirator, urging him to bet big against the Los Angeles Lakers due to James’ yet-to-be-announced absence.
Speaking as a guest on NewsNation’s “CUOMO” program, Donaghy shared that he was “not surprised” about everything going on. He claimed the ongoing fiasco is just the beginning, with an even bigger scandal waiting to be unearthed at the college level.
“Definitely not surprised with what’s going on. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Donaghy said.
“I think you’re going to see more of a bigger scandal coming out of the college level, because you have these young athletes that aren’t going to make it to the next level. Somebody’s going to offer them money to maybe fix a game and only win by 12 rather than 15. They’re going to take that money because they’re going to need a way to support their family. I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg in many different ways.”
Donaghy has long maintained that his own illegal activity during his NBA refereeing days had connections to Mafia crime families as well. But those claims have been debunked, with his alleged bookies having supposedly exaggerated their ties to the Mafia.
While it’s hard to take Donaghy completely seriously due to his checkered past, it’s not hard to imagine the FBI following his lead in looking into college sports, if they aren’t already.
