PRES. TRUMP AWARDED INAUGURAL FIFA PEACE PRIZE AT WORLD CUP DRAW IN WASHINGTON . (PHOTOS).
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed deep concern Friday over recent federal indictments tied to illegal gambling involving an NBA player and coach. The cases, unsealed Thursday, include schemes related to NBA games, online sports betting, and rigged poker games. Among those arrested were Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Speaking during halftime of the Celtics-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, Silver emphasized the league’s commitment to preserving the integrity of competition. He said unusual betting activity surrounding a 2023 game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets initially triggered the NBA’s investigation, which found insufficient evidence at the time. Since then, the FBI has taken over, and the league has cooperated fully. The DOJ indictments allege that Rozier and others used confidential information to place bets, with Rozier tipping off a friend about his early exit from a game, enabling bets totaling more than $200,000. Billups is described as a “Face Card” meant to attract gamblers. Both he and Rozier have been placed on indefinite leave, and the Trail Blazers named Tiago Splitter as interim coach. The U.S. House Committee on Commerce requested a briefing from Silver by Friday, citing concerns about sports betting and NBA integrity. Past gambling scandals, including those involving Tim Donaghy and Jontay Porter, were also referenced, underscoring the ongoing sensitivity of the issue.
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