Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee who was exiled from the league and served 15 months in federal prison due to his involvement in a gambling scandal, is trying for a comeback in the world of professional wrestling.
Sports Illustrated are reporting that Donaghy will be brought on by Major League Wrestling as the personal referee for up and coming star Richard Holliday during their upcoming Restart. Donaghy had this to say about joining a different kind of sport:
Pro wrestling is entertainment, and I always joked the NBA was a form of entertainment and I compared it a little bit to pro wrestling behind the scenes. When I was growing up, I always enjoyed pro wrestling, guys like Hulk Hogan and Ivan Putski. I thought it would be fun to get involved and see where it goes.
Donaghy says that he hopes for a good response from his reemergence in the public eye for the first time since 2007. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to make the show entertaining and fun for everyone watching, and I’m excited to be a part of it.” Tim joins a long tradition of so-called “crooked referees” in wrestling, including Earl Hebner, Team Taz member Bill Alfonso, and man who might still be trapped in a cave Brad Maddox.
