Senators Publish Bipartisan Letter Demanding Answers From NBA Over Gambling Scandal
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier dribbles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A pair of U.S. senators published a letter Tuesday morning seeking more information from the NBA about its recent betting scandal.
Last week, the FBI arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player and coach Damon Jones in connection with a pair of indictments involving sports betting, the mob, and rigged poker games.
What was most notable about Rozier’s arrest was the fact that the NBA previously investigated him for potential betting violations. Betting companies tipped the league off to suspicious betting activity during a specific game in 2023, and the league began looking into Rozier. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined no rules were violated.
Speaking about the scandal last Friday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver explained that the FBI’s able to do things that the NBA cannot, which is how federal law enforcement was able to produce evidence of the scandal.
On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released a letter seeking more information on the league’s investigation and the step it’s taking to protect the integrity of the game. It read:
Reporting suggests that, like the incident involving [Jontay Porter], the NBA opened an investigation of Rozier for gambling activity around the March 23 game mentioned above. However, reporting indicates the Association’s investigation “did not find a violation of NBA rules.” This Committee needs to understand the specifics of the NBA’s investigation and why Rozier was cleared to continue playing basketball.
This is a matter of Congressional concern. The integrity of NBA games must be trustworthy and free from the influence of organized crime or gambling-related activity. Sports betting scandals like this one may lead the American public to assume that all sports are corrupt. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over professional sports, and as dedicated basketball fans, we want to ensure the NBA is protecting the integrity of the sport.
The letter went on to request documents related to the NBA’s investigative findings and procedures.
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