NBA commissioner “deeply disturbed” by gambling arrests of Billups, Rozier
**NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Responds to Arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier in Gambling-Related Case**
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made his first public comments Friday night following the arrests of Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier on gambling-related charges. Speaking during Amazon Prime Video’s broadcast of Boston at New York, Silver expressed that he was stunned by the indictments that have rattled the league.
“My initial reaction was I was deeply disturbed,” Silver said. “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 sentiment was widely shared across the league, just one day after federal officials unsealed indictments and arrested nearly three dozen individuals, most notably Billups and Rozier.
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### Details of the Charges
Rozier was arrested amid allegations that he conspired with associates to influence bets based on his statistical performance. Federal prosecutors contend that Rozier helped others win wagers by manipulating his in-game statistics. The charges resemble those that former Toronto player Jontay Porter faced before he was banned from the NBA in 2024 by Silver.
Rozier’s attorney, James Trusty, told CBS News Thursday that Rozier was initially considered a “subject,” not a “target” of the investigation. However, Trusty added, “At 6 a.m. this morning they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel.” He criticized federal prosecutors for seeking “the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk.”
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Billups faces charges that include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Authorities allege he participated in Mafia-backed, rigged poker games. Billups also reportedly matches the profile of “Co-Conspirator 8” in an indictment describing how inside information on player health was shared with bettors.
In a statement to CBS News Thursday night, Billups’ attorney said, “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game. Billups has never and would never gamble on basketball games, provide insider information, or sacrifice the trust of his team and the League, as it would tarnish the game he has devoted his entire life to.”
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### Impact on the League
The arrests have cast a shadow over the NBA’s opening week. “I apologize to our fans that we are all dealing with this situation,” Silver said during his in-game interview.
The investigation into Rozier dates back to March 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Legal sportsbooks noticed irregular betting patterns related to Rozier’s “prop bets” that day. Rozier played around 9 ½ minutes, during which bettors who wagered on him underperforming the stated statistical lines won their bets. Over $200,000 was reportedly wagered on those lines alone.
The NBA conducted its own investigation at the time and found no grounds for penalties. “We frankly couldn’t find anything,” Silver explained. “Terry cooperated, gave the league office his phone, sat down for an interview. We ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence despite that aberrational behavior to move forward.
“He still hasn’t been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry. Obviously, it doesn’t look good. But he’s now been put on administrative leave. There’s a balance here of protecting people’s rights and investigating.”
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### Reactions from Coaches and Players
Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue described Billups as his best friend and said the news was difficult to process. After speaking with Billups Thursday night, Lue felt encouraged by the conversation.
“To go through something like this, the allegations, his family, my Goddaughters, it was a tough day,” Lue said. “You never want to see your friends go through anything like that.”
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, a veteran of over 40 years in the NBA, expressed his sadness. “It’s really sad,” Rivers said Friday. “In my day, the outside world couldn’t get to us. They literally couldn’t get to us. And now they can, with ease.”
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Alongside Billups and Rozier, former NBA player Damon Jones also faces charges for allegedly tipping off bettors regarding the health status of two Los Angeles Lakers players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The indictment details Jones discussing player availability before such information was made public. There is no suggestion that James or Davis had any involvement.
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff commented on the gravity of the situation, noting, “We see now what those things can turn into and how they can spread, just how valuable this information is. It’s a difficult situation overall, but once you introduce gambling that the sports world has now, there are going to be some very dangerous situations out there—from a security standpoint, from this type of thing standpoint.”
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### NBA’s Efforts on Gambling Education
All NBA teams must annually educate players, coaches, and staff on gambling rules and what is prohibited. The Orlando Magic recently held such a meeting, then convened again after the arrests.
“Yesterday was another reminder of what we have to do,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “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 NBA currently maintains partnerships with at least 14 sportsbooks, including FanDuel and DraftKings. Some teams have additional individual agreements. Silver has consistently emphasized that legal betting can be monitored effectively, with unusual betting patterns flagged immediately. This monitoring mechanism is a key reason the league believes it can protect the integrity of the games.
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### Calls for Continued Vigilance
Despite these efforts, some coaches and players believe more needs to be done.
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “The league, the game, and the business of the league have evolved. So we just have to be aware of how things evolve in this business, right? It’s very important for us to continue to be educated and mindful of everything that has to do with our business. I believe in Adam Silver and the league, that they will do whatever is necessary to continue to grow the game in the right way.”
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### The Challenge of Social Media
Another concern lies in how social media enables bettors to directly communicate with people inside the league. Such interactions, many say, are not always friendly and represent a new challenge.
Rivers added, “In my day, the outside world couldn’t get to us. They literally couldn’t get to us. And now they can, with ease.”
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The ongoing investigations and legal processes are sure to keep the NBA’s attention focused on safeguarding the integrity of the league and addressing the serious implications of gambling-related misconduct. Commissioner Silver and NBA leadership reiterate their commitment to maintaining fair competition and protecting the sport they cherish.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-gambling-arrests-chauncey-billups-terry-rozier/
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