NBA Commissioner Adam Silver publicly addressed the federal indictments of Portland coach Chauncey Billups, Miami guard Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones related to a widespread gambling scheme.
“My immediate reaction was one of deep disturbance,” Silver stated during an Amazon Prime Video broadcast of the New York Knicks versus Boston Celtics game on Friday. “The integrity of the competition is paramount to the league and its fans. I felt a pit in my stomach. It was highly unsettling.
“I apologize to our fans as we navigate this situation.”
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Silver mentioned that the NBA investigated Rozier’s case, which began in March 2023 when he played for the Charlotte Hornets, and found no grounds for sanction. Sports books had alerted the NBA to unusual betting patterns involving Rozier’s “prop bets.”
“We couldn’t substantiate anything,” Silver explained. “Terry cooperated at the time, providing the league office with his phone and sitting for an interview. Ultimately, we concluded that despite the aberrant behavior, there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
“To be fair to Terry, he hasn’t been convicted of anything yet. While it doesn’t reflect well, he’s now on administrative leave. There’s a balance between protecting individual rights and conducting an investigation.”
Earlier on Friday, Congress became involved.
The House Committee on Commerce sent a letter to Silver on Friday, requesting information and a briefing regarding the scandal.
The committee is requesting five specific points of information from Silver:
“1. Comprehensive details regarding fraudulent, illegal, and alleged betting practices involving NBA players, coaches, and officials, including actions by NBA players and coaches named in the recent indictment, as well as past instances, some of which have been mentioned,” the letter specified.
“2. Actions the NBA plans to implement to restrict the leaking of nonpublic information for unlawful purposes. 3. Whether the NBA’s Code of Conduct for players and coaches adequately prohibits unlawful activities, including revealing non-public information for illegal betting schemes. 4. A detailed explanation of any regulatory loopholes that enable illegal betting schemes. 5. Whether and how the NBA is reassessing the conditions of its partnerships with sports betting companies.”
NBA LEGEND CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, HEAT’S TERRY ROZIER ARRESTED AS PART OF FBI GAMBLING PROBE
The bipartisan letter was signed by six members of Congress from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Rozier’s arrest stems from allegations that he conspired with associates to facilitate successful bets based on his statistical performance. The charges parallel those faced by former Toronto player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league by Silver in 2024.
Billups is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for his involvement in Mafia-backed rigged poker games, according to federal authorities. He also fits the description of Co-Conspirator 8 in an indictment that details how certain individuals provided bettors with inside information about player health statuses.
The arrests have overshadowed the league’s opening week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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