Amidst Referee Strike, NBA Re-Hires Tim Donaghy (Satire)

In less than a year, Tim Donaghy went from being a felon to a man with a job, as he was able to negotiate a contract with the NBA to bring him back as a referee. 

Donaghy was an NBA referee from 1994-2007, but recently spent 11 months in jail for betting on games he officiated. 

"Tim is a changed man, and we feel he provides a great veteran presence as a referee," said NBA Commissioner David Stern.

While Stern had a rather optimistic view, others didn't.

"This is not acceptable for the NBA," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

Sacramento mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson felt similarly.

"This is a desperate move, and this is just showing us why the refs should get it together and take the offer of the NBA," he said.

Even former republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin felt as though she should chime in on the issue.

"What is happening to this country? To hire a felon as a referee, what kind of country is this? The NBA is made up of a bunch of phonies," Palin said. "There's only one good team in the NBA: the Mavericks."

Donaghy is set to start officiating on November 1st.