NBA betting scandal sees three prominent figures arrested

The GIST: Three people with ties to the NBA were among the 34 arrested yesterday in connection to a multiyear FBI investigation into illegal betting. Here’s “the gist” on the two indictments (one tied to rigged poker games and the other to illegal sports wagers) and what the FBI director deemed the NBA’s “insider trading saga.” Buckle up.

😦 I heard a Hall of Famer was involved?: That’s right — 2024 inductee and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is accused of serving as the “face card” to attract unsuspecting victims to a rigged poker ring, which used high-tech strategies to defraud competitors and reportedly involved multiple Mafia families. Billups is in custody and on leave from the Trail Blazers.

😱 And a current player allegedly facilitated illegal sports bets on himself?: Correct. The Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier has been accused of intentionally removing himself from a 2023 game (due to “injury”) so that bettors could cash out on more than $259K in wagers — and give Rozier a share of the profits.

• And then there’s Damon Jones, LeBron James’ former personal shooting coach, who allegedly shared private information about James’ injury status with a bettor in 2023.

• Jones, who is also being indicted in connection with the aforementioned poker ring, encouraged that co-conspirator to “bet big” on the Lakers’ opponent because James would be out. Can’t do that.

👀 Zooming out: Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for legalized sports betting in 2018, numerous scandals have popped up across pro leagues, from MLB to the NFL to the NBA and beyond. Leagues have embraced sports betting through partnerships, but how does a sport maintain integrity when players can be used as prop bets?