July 12: From Whistleblower to Blowing Whistles
The Story of an Undercover Agent turned NBA Ref
An Author Talk with Bob Delaney, former elite NBA referee and current league VP of referee operations and author of Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob
This event will be streamed live on July 12 at 7 p.m. (PDT)
In 1975 while a state trooper, Delaney joined an undercover sting operation that resulted in convictions of more than 30 members of Genovese and Bruno crime families and ended Mob control of New Jersey waterfront. While wearing a wire, Delaney dealt daily with mobsters who modeled themselves after their onscreen counterparts in box office hits such as The Godfather. Delaney even crossed paths with Joe Pistone, the real-life Donnie Brasco.
Along the way, he developed Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. As a way to deal with the stress of undercover work, Delaney began officiating at high school games, eventually becoming one of the NBA’s best officials.
At left, Michael Jordan argues with Delaney over a call.
Below, Delaney has made numerous trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to help counsel troops.
Photos courtesy of Bob Delaney.
