It appears basketball fans are getting another deep-dive documentary into an NBA figure's life. This time, it isn't an iconic player or coach. It is one of the league's most notorious referees - Tim Donaghy.
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, multiple sources have told him that Netflix is working on a documentary about the former referee, who was banned from the league for fixing games. He has also heard that Donaghy himself will have a hand in the film.
The story itself s an interesting one. A veteran NBA referee, who worked multiple pivotal playoff games, is busted for not only betting on games he worked but for making calls that ensured the correct result and is eventually busted by the FBI.
The phrase "involved in the film" can mean a lot of things. It could be as simple as Tim Donaghy sitting down for an interview with the filmmakers. That would make a lot of sense.
Unfortunately, the trend in these documentaries has been turning over editorial control to the subject himself. That hasn't worked out so well for Apple's They Call Me Magic, which is receiving middling reviews at best.
Donaghy likely doesn't warrant that treatment, but it is the norm right now, so the possibility cannot be ruled out entirely.
Netflix has been clear in recent weeks. The company likes sports content. It just doesn't see itself following Apple and Amazon into the realm of bidding on live games. A project like this one would follow the company's model of creating content that appeals to sports fans but doesn't require Netflix to give up total control of the outcome.
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