Whistleblower

4,080

In 2007, NBA referee Tim Donaghy was arrested for betting on games he officiated. It was the biggest scandal in American sports history, but it quickly faded from the headlines. Why? Because everyone in this scandal has something to hide. This isn't a story about basketball - it's a story about money, and a conspiracy that spans far beyond one referee. Sports journalist Tim Livingston takes you inside his eight-year odyssey to find the truth at the heart of the scandal. This is Whistleblower.

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Recent Reviews
  • Coolreeny
    Good show and
    And I have a feeling this host is sexier than Payne Lyndsey like Tim Livingston is probably so sexy and Payne Lyndsey is be sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life
  • Ericho247365
    Could have been better
    Pretty one sided even to the point of admitting to being friends with the subject. Lots of untrue facts in this series. Example of one sided opinions, the NBA tells refs what they do wrong to make them better. It’s like a ball player watching tape to see what he did wrong. So when they are told to focus on an illegal move a player is doing, that’s them correcting their mistake from the previous game
  • pike sg
    Life in general
    This doesn’t suprisse me I am a man in his seventies grew up around all this kinda stuff I M really not a geek about this but live and worked in delco. I knew the law is all about money.Sports don’t change the outcome.Listen to the way he says drugs.Clifton sure gets you ready for this. The way the environment gets you prepared for the difference in playing chess then checkers.Y ou know my Clifton Heights upbringing knows the lessons on keeping your mouth shut never admitting anything.
  • IsaacLaughter
    Stop Watching NBA
    I’ve been done with the NBA for a while though. I love basketball, but it has to be pure. Thanks for shearing more light on the ‘WWFness’ of the NBA. The NBA is a joke!
  • Grizman30
    A Portland fan who already knew…
    …, but glad that it was finally proven. I do believe that this Podcast truly proves how rigged the system was and remains. This is a fantastic listen and we’ll worth your time. Great reporting that is extremely well produced and presented. I’m sad to find out what I’ve felt for 30 years is correct.
  • bunnyravitz
    Even this non basketball person was hooked!
    I am a big sports fan but, for whatever reason, don’t have an NBA team I root for. Interestingly, I married a Bucks fan. Anyway, this podcast combined true crime and sports and I hung on every word. I was also born into a huge betting family. Incredible work, Tim. I am fully team Tommy and think his BFF TD did him dirty. One note: very jarring to me to have gambling ads as sponsorship. I know that’s not fair of me to criticize but it felt wrong. Can’t wait for a season 2, if any. (Side note: this podcast got me through a 3-day hospital stay with my 15-year-old. So thanks for that, too.)
  • WorkitJ
    Netflix Owe Y’all Some Money
    This series was awesome!!! Netflix just came out with the Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul. I wonder if they got the idea from you all.
  • MirandaBurt
    Great listen!
    Soooooooo entertaining!!! I’m sad it’s over.
  • pjbrock
    Background music
    Love love all of Payne’s podcast but just to much unnecessary music, it’s hard to follow. love your podcast I was hooked on of course Up And Vanished!
  • hyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhhuj
    *Literally* filled with lies
    I cannot emphasize literally enough. Most of the stories have been debunked (including any mob involvement) and the producers of the podcast knew this and made it anyways. That is lying, not investigative journalism. The people who made this should be ashamed. I feel sorry for everyone who actually believed this stuff and didn’t fact check it.
  • Vols Fols
    Dirty Little Secrets.
    Was a huge NBA guy but fell out of love, if I knew this story… I would of left the NBA years before. Love it!!!
  • M. Caringer
    Amazing Podcast
    I loved this podcast and I don’t like basket ball. A perfect production. My only Criticism: Marc Cuban is a CCP puppet, his loyalties are offshore. Stop thinking he’ll do anything to help your cause, you’re not worth enough to make him care. Awesome podcast!
  • Brokbird
    Story worth pursuing, but not with this podcast
    Citing Bill Simmons Page 2 articles and interviewing Darren Rovell about sports gambling are great ways to not have any credibility.
  • Rdh3381
    Excellent production and content
    Amazing job putting this together. The content as well as the production was top notch. Thankful someone finally had the guts to address this issue. Long overdue. Kudos!
  • penny4989
    Incredible
    What a wild fantastic ride! Good job guys!
  • Swwacoach
    NBA rigged
    Tonight is game 6 of warriors v Celtics after listening to this I’m running out placing money on Celtics to tie the series for a game 7. League loves that game 7 money. Nba as the mob guys said is not a sport league it’s like pro wrestling
  • CmoHo4sho
    Phenomenal
    This is some of the best investigative journalism I’ve ever seen. I feel like I understand how the NBA operates as a business much better now. This podcast is the type of content I crave. I was just expecting something more at the end. The entire podcast feels like a build up to something big and the ending was pretty disappointing and left me feeling pretty empty. But still give it 5 stars because it is fascinating and I couldn’t stop listening.
  • totalrecall9000
    Super compelling, a lot of padding
    It’s a good podcast and I recommend it. Same time there’s a (whole) lot of filler. The info carried my experience of listening, the compelling nature of the story itself carried me along, and in terms of production it’s not like, bad at all. But there is * a lot * of filler.
  • tcidgi
    NBA vs WWE
    I've always contended the only difference between the NBA & the WWE is at least Vince McMahon admits the WWE is sports "entertainment", nothing has changed. If you thought David Stern was an unlikable a-hole before listening, this pod cast will absolutely confirm your feelings. I'd love to see this made into a documentary, hello Vice.
  • Iggyandspike
    Compelling & captivating story
    First off, I’m only a casual fan of the NBA, having watched a few games here and there, but I haven’t really followed it since I was a kid. This story was so captivating, so well-told, so interesting, that I listened intently to each and every episode. It incorporated not only the NBA, but the FBI, the media, and even the mafia into a truly fascinating story. Michael Imperioli was the perfect choice for narrator, adding a touch of humor and Sopranos “street cred” to an already intriguing and shocking tale. 👍🏼👍🏼
  • Isaac_Dubb
    JUST WOW
    Truly captivating story. Tim and his team did a great job of pulling multiple angles/perspectives of the case and painting a story. This is a must listen for every fan of any type sport. Makes you really think deeply on what happens behind closed doors…If you see a negative review, it’s probably a fake account made by David Stern
  • Nate Brockett
    Whistleblower
    Captivating to say the very least. The moment I started this podcast I couldn’t stop listening. This was so well put together I could envision everything like a movie. Good stuff
  • DougInPrinceton
    If you’ve ever yelled at the TV because of a controversial foul call, listen to this.
    Hey, sports fans. If you’ve ever truly thought your favorite NBA team got screwed out of a win by the refs, or that the NBA playoffs were rigged by the league, or anything in between, you must listen to this podcast.
  • HussMang
    Not surprised, but fascinating work
    I crushed through this in a day. Very well done and a fascinating reveal on what we frankly already know. I’m glad everyone on the NBA is making bank, but not from me. I have no need for professional wrestling with a ball. But this was great!
  • bcdanahy
    Fantastic!
    Binged in 1 day. Like a book I couldn’t put down
  • Florendo Anthony
    Great podcast
    I never write reviews. Had to for this one. I thought it was that good.
  • joe-nfl
    Really really good
    I’m a fan of all sports and I thought I knew this story. I’ve had it in my podcast library for months... thinking I’d delete it because I knew the story and what could they possibly add. I finally listened to the first episode and I was hooked. Two days later I’ve completed it . Thisis a fascinating story that I was in the dark on. Well done !
  • tiny8987
    Great
    This is a great podcast. I enjoyed it and am not a sports fan.
  • A_sanchez123
    Intense 😳🤟🏽
    Got me hooked instantly!
  • Ray Weaver
    Not journalism
    This is a very compelling story with a lot of potential, but unfortunately the podcast beats little resemblance to actual journalism.
  • Dontay217
    Great pod
    Gives more insight on the nba referees and the scandal that was exposed in the early 2000’s
  • Justin bier
    Great listen
    Not super interested in Basketball but this story is worth your time. Well told and good research told in organized Manner I Recommend this one
  • 702play
    Great podcast
    Well done gentleman!!! Season two?
  • Sanpitch_97
    Job well done. Very in-depth
    Can’t say enough good things about this podcast. I have referred it to everyone. This confirms what we have all thought. There is definitely favoritism for NBA teams and NBA stars. The level of corruption in the NBA is absolutely crazy. Stern had friends in high places to make the FBI sweep the whole scandal under the rug. The NBA needed a villain with a face, Donaghy provided that. Really the villain was Stern. Listening to this podcast just burns. If you are a fan of any NBA team outside of the Lakers or outside of the current big stars then you have felt the burn of favoritism on foul calls. Good job to the crew putting this together. They put the work in to put this together. We get to reap the rewards of listening. I have always wanted to hear Donaghys side. Not that I fully believed all of what he was saying but as a fan of the NBA it was impossible to ignore what he was saying. There are countless games where it is apparent that there is a fix on the game (Game 6 of Kings/Lakers ‘02, Mavs/Heat ‘06 Finals, Sonics vs Suns ‘93). It hurts finding out that the game I absolutely love and is such a part of my life is not as pure as advertised. It is corrupt. The NBA is a business first. As a business you need to generate money. What is going to generate more money in ‘02, a Kings/Nets Finals or a Lakers 3-peat? Guessing that is what is going on and then having these stories confirmed is just a punch in the gut. Thanks a million times over for this podcast. It is very well done. I am shocked by how few people have heard about this podcast. Spread the word. This is gold. Thanks, thanks and thanks again.
  • falconidae
    Wow
    I always thought there was more to the Tim Danaghy scandal. This pod does an awesome job dismantling what the NBA wants us to believe about it. I kind of always suspected this. Hoping for a season 2!
  • Bling frog
    Im appealed that David stern was able to do what he did.
    I’m blown away how close the NBA was from being exposed for what they really are…another WWE. There a major entity that’s lying to it fans and customers to continue lining there pockets, with a game that supposed to be a fair athletic competition but in fact was a shame on almost every level. Im appealed that David stern was able to do what he did. Thank you Tim Livingston for doing the what nobody else seem to do
  • NaeaRae
    So good!
    If you are a sports fan at all you will love this podcast. Once I found it I listen to almost the entire first season in 1 day!
  • Captain Swanigan
    Informative
    real informative and makes you think abotu what is going on in the nba
  • Pigskin.Lover
    Very interesting and well put together
    Podcast likely includes bias, but does enough to run down a lot more info than we've caught before. Highly recommend.
  • BrynnW
    Amazing Podcast
    Loved this podcast! Definitely recommend. I don’t look at the NBA the same anymore.
  • joodymo
    Excellent podcast
    Phenomenally produced and organized - and excellent journalism by the podcasters. Blown away that this issue hasn’t been a bigger deal!
  • Mondane23
    Wow!
    This is one of the best produced and insightful podcast about the NBA and the integrity of the game. You will come to understand that your frustration with the NBA and the officials are not unfounded but go deeper than you imagined. Outstanding podcast and I hope they have a season 2!
  • AshNicRuby
    Interesting
    Very interesting and eye opening! Love it!
  • FiredCoachesPod
    Stunning production and research.
    Best pod ever. Make officiating great again!
  • THATS GAME
    THATS GAME
    THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. THATS GAME. A podcast about the insane integrity and culture problems of the NBA… Brought to you by the NBA… THATS GAME. Loved the series. Didn’t like hearing THATS GAME every 10 minutes.
  • snb525
    Nothing has changed
    I love basketball and the players are magical athletes it should be a beautiful game. But nothing has changed. I could find 100 fouls from the 2021 playoffs that changed the games, but we have all watched it. Thank you so much, for letting us look behind the curtain and making me feel less crazy. This needs to be a movie. Thank you so much for spending ten years of your life bringing this to life
  • Benny2172
    Tough listen
    This is all over the place. And really not much is told in each episode, maybe cause he wants you to come back for more but it’s hard to listen to more then 3. Check Tim out on bill bert for a better summary
  • Sam Martinez
    Insightful
    I liked it!
  • Gabby Francois
    So intriguing and well produced
    I love basketball and the deep dive into a major scandal of my favorite sport was a bit hard to stomach. However, I appreciate how Tim was able to collect the views of people involved with the case as well as people from all walks of life who love the game as much as I do. I had no clue Ralph Nader was a basketball fan! Lol I knew it was gonna be quality work due to the connection to Cadence 13 & Tenderfoot TV. Well done once again! Looking forward to more intriguing stories in the future!
  • Daddy of the year 2019
    well done!Great pod
    well done
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