NEW YORK - The NBA is so angry at disgraced referee Tim Donaghy that it wants him to reimburse the league for the cost of his basketball shoes.
The NBA said in a court filing it spent US$750 over three seasons to buy sneakers for Donaghy, who pleaded guilty last year to taking payoffs from gamblers.
Now, the league wants its money back. It also wants a court to force the referee to repay his salary, his airfare expenses and meal allowances, and cough up at least $4,500 for complimentary tickets he received over the years. All told, the league is seeking $1.4 million from Donaghy.
The written demand was filed Thursday at a federal court in Brooklyn.
Donaghy's lawyer has called the league's demands an attempt to retaliate against his client for alleging widespread misconduct by NBA executives and employees.
Donaghy has admitted betting on about half the games he officiated for three seasons, beginning in 2003.