Introduction to the Scandal
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, in his first public comments since the arrests of Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier on gambling-related charges, said Friday night that he was stunned by the indictments that have rocked the league.
“My initial reaction was I was deeply disturbed,” Silver said on Amazon Prime Video, during the streaming service’s first broadcast — Boston at New York. “There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition. I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”
The Arrests and Charges
Such was a sentiment shared by many around the league on Friday, one day after the indictments were unsealed and nearly three dozen people — most notably, Billups and Rozier — were arrested by federal officials.
Rozier was arrested because federal officials allege he conspired with associates to help them win bets based on his statistical performance. The charges are similar to what former Toronto player Jontay Porter faced before he was banned from the league by Silver in 2024.
Billups faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for participating in what federal officials called Mafia-backed rigged poker games. He also matches the credentials of someone described only as Co-Conspirator 8 in an indictment detailing how some people gave bettors inside information on player health statuses.
Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested Thursday in a FBI probe into illegal sports betting.
Reaction from the League
The arrests have overshadowed the opening week around the league.
"I apologize to our fans that we are all dealing with this situation,” Silver said during the in-game interview.
The Rozier case has gone on since March 23, 2023. He was with the Charlotte Hornets at that time, and sportsbooks — legal ones — alerted the NBA to irregular patterns involving Rozier’s “prop bets” that day. Rozier went on to play about 9 1/2 minutes, and those who bet that he would underperform the listed stat lines won those wagers. Federal officials said more than $200,000 was bet on those lines alone.
The NBA investigated and found no reason to sanction Rozier, Silver said.
“We frankly couldn’t find anything,” Silver said. "Terry at the time cooperated. He gave the league office his phone. He sat down for an interview. And we ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence despite that aberrational behavior to move forward.
“He still hasn’t been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry. Obviously, it doesn’t look good. But he’s now been put on administrative leave. There’s a balance here of protecting people’s rights and investigating.”
Coaches’ Reactions
Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue calls Billups his best friend and said the news was difficult to take. He said he spoke with Billups on Thursday night and was encouraged by what he heard.
“To go through something like this, the allegations, his family, my goddaughters, it was a tough day,” Lue said. “You never want to see your friends go through anything like that."
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers started in the NBA as a player more than 40 years ago. He’s seen plenty of good and bad. He thought he had heard it all. That is, until now.
“It’s really sad,” Rivers said Friday.
Other Charges and Concerns
Along with Billups and Rozier, former NBA player Damon Jones now faces charges because officials said he tipped off bettors about the health status of two Los Angeles Lakers players. The details in that indictment clearly show that Jones was discussing the availability of LeBron James and former Lakers center Anthony Davis with bettors before their statuses for certain games was known publicly. There is no indication that James or Davis had any knowledge of what Jones was alleged to be doing.
“We see now what those things can turn into and how they can spread, just how valuable this information is,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It’s a difficult situation overall but once you introduce gambling that the sports world has now, there’s going to be some very dangerous situations out there for everybody — from a security standpoint, from this type of thing standpoint.”
Education and Prevention
All teams are required by the NBA to educate players, coaches and staff annually about what is allowed and not allowed when it comes to gambling. The Orlando Magic met recently about that very topic.
And then after the news Thursday, they met again.
“Yesterday was another reminder of what we have to do,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We had another conversation with the group. I think the more that is going on, the more we have to continue to talk to the group about what is happening.”
The Role of Sportsbooks and Social Media
The league has at least 14 relationships with sportsbooks, including FanDuel and DraftKings. Some teams have their own deals as well. Silver has often spoken of how legal betting can be monitored and how unusual patterns can be flagged immediately, part of the reason why the league believes the integrity of games can be protected.
But some coaches and players still believe more can be done.
“The league, the game and the business of the league has evolved. And so we just have to be aware of how things evolve in this business, right?” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. "It’s very important for us to continue to just be educated and mindful of everything that has to do with our business. … I believe in Adam Silver and the league, that they will do whatever is necessary to continue to grow the game in the right way.”
Joseph Nocella, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, explains how a gambling scheme that allegedly involved Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and others worked.
Conclusion
The recent arrests of NBA players and coaches on gambling-related charges have sent shockwaves throughout the league. As the investigation continues, the NBA must balance protecting the integrity of the game with the rights of those accused. The league’s relationship with sportsbooks and the role of social media in facilitating interactions between players and bettors will likely come under increased scrutiny. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the NBA faces a challenging road ahead in navigating the complexities of legal betting and maintaining the trust of its fans.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier?
A: Billups faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, while Rozier is accused of conspiring with associates to help them win bets based on his statistical performance.
Q: How did the NBA investigate the allegations against Rozier in 2023?
A: The NBA investigated and found no reason to sanction Rozier, as they could not find sufficient evidence despite irregular patterns in his "prop bets" that day.
Q: What is the league’s policy on educating players and staff about gambling?
A: All teams are required to educate players, coaches, and staff annually about what is allowed and not allowed when it comes to gambling.
Q: How does the league’s relationship with sportsbooks impact the situation?
A: The league has relationships with at least 14 sportsbooks, and while they believe legal betting can be monitored, some coaches and players think more can be done to protect the integrity of the game.
