Disgraced former NBA official Tim Donaghy tells TMZ Commissioner David Stern plans to legalize gambling in pro basketball as a way of stuffing the league's coffers.
According to the website, Donaghy, who was fired for fixing games and later sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2008 after being convicted of betting on even games he officiated, says he's suspicious of Stern's recent prediction that gambling in all pro sports will be legal in all 50 states in the near future.
TMZ reports during a recent appearance on WFAN radio in New York, Stern also added he feels new laws are first needed to safeguard the industry.
Donaghy later told TMZ he feels Stern is "finally picking his head out of the sand because he smells dollars." Donaghy also reasoned his former boss now wants gambling legalized everywhere so the league "can cop a percentage of the action" and "integrating gambling means a lot of money for everyone."
TMZ reported multiple calls to league officials for comment were unanswered.
Donaghy officiated for 13 NBA seasons, spanning nearly 800 regular season games and 20 playoff games. He served the first 11 months of his sentence at a Florida prison and the remaining four months at a halfway house.
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