Ep 22. Playing for the Mob (Joe Lavine & Cayman Grant)

Playing for the Mob is the 22nd episode of the second season of 30 for 30, the renowned sports documentary series. Directed by Joe Lavine and Cayman Grant, this episode dives deep into the scandal that rocked the world of basketball in the 1970s and 80s.

The episode opens up with the backstory of Henry Hill, infamous mobster turned FBI informant, whose life was chronicled in the classic movie Goodfellas. The directors then move on to the story of his involvement with the Boston College basketball team, which was at the center of a massive point-shaving scandal.

The Boston College Eagles, led by star point guard Rick Kuhn, were one of the best college basketball teams in the country in the early 1980s. However, they soon became embroiled in a scheme hatched by mob boss Jim Burke and his associate Henry Hill, who had connections to Kuhn and other members of the team.

The plan was simple: Burke would pay Kuhn and a few other players to deliberately lose games by not covering the point spread. This would allow Burke and his associates to make huge sums of money by betting against the Eagles. Kuhn initially refused to go along with the plan, but was eventually convinced by Hill and the promise of cash and drugs.

The documentary takes a gritty and realistic look into the shady underworld of organized crime and the lengths they would go to make a quick buck. The directors expertly blend vintage footage and interviews to set the scene of the era, and how sports betting was a massive industry in the US. The episode seamlessly blends real-life events with cinematic flair, creating a tension-filled experience for the viewers.

The scam went on for two seasons, until Kuhn's conscience got the best of him, and he decided to come forward to the authorities. The FBI, who had been investigating the scandal for months, had found a weak link in the form of Dominick "Donnie Shacks" Montemarano, a low-level mobster who was also a die-hard Boston College fan, and was willing to help the FBI uncover the truth.

The documentary expertly explores all aspects of the story, from Kuhn's descent into criminality to the FBI's investigation and the trial that ultimately brought down the scam. The directors interviewed many of the people involved, from Kuhn himself to former FBI agents to basketball players who played against Boston College during that time.

Playing for the Mob is a gripping and shocking episode of 30 for 30 that shines a light on one of the darkest chapters in the history of college sports. The episode is expertly edited and shot, and the directors manage to create an atmosphere of tension and suspense throughout. The story is a warning against the dangers of greed and crime, and how one bad decision can lead to a lifetime of regret.