Tim Donaghy Fresh Out of Prison for Fixing NBA Games to Release Book Before Christmas

Tim Donaghy fresh out of prison is said to have found a new publisher for his tell all book now titled Personal Foul, according to Deadspin. The press release that was issued by VTI-Group states:

Tim Donaghy's memoir on his life as a former NBA referee and his basketball gambling has undergone a title change and a new publisher with the VTI-Group, a traditional and online media company based in Tampa Bay.

The book, now titled "Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal That Rocked the NBA" is set to be pre-released to select outlets on Friday, December 4th and will be available in book stores nationwide for Christmas.

Tim Donaghy was interviewed by 60 Minutes for an episode that will air this Sunday the 6th. The interview and the book will finally answer many of the questions about his gambling, the NBA games that were affected and the involvement with the New York Mafia.

Random House had canceled the original incarnation of the book on October 29th after getting a personal visit from NBA officials. This according to Donaghy in numerous interviews. Random House said in a statement to USA Today,

"After a close legal review of the final manuscript of Blowing the Whistle (the original name of the book) by Tim Donaghy, and our independent evaluation of some of the author's sources and statements, Triumph Books and Random House have decided not to go forward with the book's publication. Our decision is wholly our own and was made without consultation with any outside parties or individuals," Random House spokesman Stuart Applebaum said in a statement.

"When you publish controversial books, as we often do, it is not unusual for interested parties to contact us with their opinion about our prospective publication," Applebaum told USA TODAY. "We always listen to what's being said. The decision as to whether we publish a book is always our own decision based on the manuscript and its veracity and accuracy."

David Stern has repeatedly dismissed allegations the games have been fixed in the NBA outside of Donaghy and refuses to acknowledge questions that games in the playoffs were manipulated to have more seven game series to increase revenue. The NBA released a statement at that time also to USA Today,

"In 2008 Mr. Donaghy's allegations were thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. We are reassured that the U.S. Government completed its investigation finding that the only criminal conduct was that of Mr. Donaghy," Elizabeth Ventura, senior vice president of communications for the NBA, said in a statement.

"After the Donaghy case surfaced, the NBA appointed independent investigator Lawrence Pedowitz to review its officiating program and "Pedowitz's review revealed that the NBA's core values of neutrality and accountability were not compromised by anyone other than Mr. Donaghy," Ventura said.

To see a couple of excerpts of the book provided by Deadspin.com click here. It is pretty obvious Donaghy is just profiting off his indiscretions but this could explain a lot about the NBA that most of us suspected and now see it in print.

Sources:
deadspin.com
usatoday.com