Whistleblower
4.8/5
Critic Rating
4.0/5
Listener Rating
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.
Critic Reviews
Score: 5
Jake Greenberg • PodcastReview.org • Jun 1, 2022
"Tim Livingston gives the most complete history of the scandal, and calls into question the always murky story put forth by David Stern at the time. Whistleblower offers some of the best NBA journalism in recent memory."
Score: 4.5
Rodney Ho • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution • Sep 2, 2020
"This new podcast series features a crime but no murder or missing person. But it does involve intrigue involving a multi-billion dollar sports league. One of the most amusing touches is the podcast using actor Michael Imperioli from “The Sopranos” to explain some of the nuances of the cheating, a nod to the 2015 film “The Big Short,” where producers had celebrities such as Margot Robbie and Anthony Bourdain explain arcane financial transactions in a way to keep the viewers’ attention. "
Listener Reviews
Score: 4
Sebastian G • Oct 30, 2020
"Still intrigued by the Whistleblower podcast four episodes in, but things are getting a bit repetitive. The relationship between Tim (the ref) and Tom (his betting friend) is expanding, and the focus has shifted from Tom to a seedier underworld within sports in this episode. However, I don't think I can continue listening to the series after this point. The explosive interview with Tom has been played out in this and the previous episode, and I can't imagine more revelations. Yes, we know cheating and betting is involved. We know there was a boy-hood friendship that was fueled by gambling. We know the mafia took a cut. I can't imagine anything more earth-shattering after this episode... and for that reason, I'm out."
