NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly addressed the gambling scandal involving Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier for the first time, expressing his shock and dismay over the recent indictments. Speaking during Amazon Prime Video’s inaugural broadcast of the season featuring the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, Silver stated, “My initial reaction was I was deeply disturbed. 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 scandal has sent ripples through the league, following the unsealing of indictments and the arrest of nearly three dozen individuals, including Billups and Rozier. Federal officials allege Rozier conspired with associates to manipulate bets based on his statistical performance, a charge reminiscent of the case against former Toronto player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league by Silver in 2024.
Allegations and Arrests: A Closer Look
Billups faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, accused of participating in Mafia-backed, rigged poker games. He is also linked to a co-conspirator in an indictment that describes how bettors received inside information on player health statuses. The arrests have cast a shadow over the NBA’s opening week, prompting Silver to apologize to fans during a live interview. “I apologize to our fans that we are all dealing with this situation,” he said.
The Rozier investigation dates back to March 23, 2023, when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. Legal sportsbooks alerted the NBA to irregular betting patterns involving Rozier’s “prop bets” on that day. Despite playing only about 9 1/2 minutes, bets totaling over $200,000 were placed on his underperformance. The NBA’s investigation found no grounds for sanctioning Rozier at the time. “We frankly couldn’t find anything,” Silver explained. “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.”
Reactions from Around the League
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers, a veteran of the NBA, expressed his sadness over the scandal. “It’s really sad,” Rivers said. The scandal also implicates former NBA player Damon Jones, who allegedly provided bettors with insider information on the health status of Los Angeles Lakers players LeBron James and Anthony Davis. There is no evidence suggesting James or Davis were aware of Jones’s actions.
Detroit coach JB Bickerstaff highlighted the risks associated with gambling in sports. “We see now what those things can turn into and how they can spread, just how valuable this information is,” he noted. “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.”
NBA’s Response and Future Measures
The NBA mandates annual education for players, coaches, and staff on gambling regulations. In light of recent events, teams like the Orlando Magic have revisited these discussions. “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 league maintains partnerships with at least 14 sportsbooks, including FanDuel and DraftKings, asserting that legal betting can be monitored to protect game integrity. However, some within the league believe more can be done. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson emphasized the need for ongoing education and vigilance. “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?” 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.”
Social media has introduced new challenges, allowing bettors to communicate with league insiders, sometimes in unfriendly ways. “The outside world, in my day, couldn’t get to us. They literally couldn’t get to us,” Rivers reflected. “And now they can, with ease.”
As the NBA navigates this scandal, the league’s commitment to transparency and integrity remains paramount. The unfolding situation underscores the complexities of modern sports management and the critical importance of safeguarding the game from external influences.
