Art Schlichter, the fourth overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft whose career was devastated by a gambling addiction, is now warning that the recent NBA arrests related to gambling are merely the beginning of a larger legal crisis. In a recent interview with OutKick, Schlichter suggested that many players – especially at the college level – may have been involved in such activities, with the NBA’s recent indictments being a significant first step in a larger movement.
While Schlichter admitted he was baffled as to why professional athletes, who earn millions of dollars, would risk their careers for gambling, he also highlighted that the widespread nature of the issue might have been underestimated. He noted that even players at smaller colleges and universities, who earn much less than NBA stars, are involved in such activities, often wagering just a few hundred dollars per game.
Billups, Rozier, and Jones were all charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA announced that Billups and Rozier were placed on immediate leave from their teams, stating, ‘and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities.’ The NBA said ‘the integrity of our game remains our top priority.’ In addition, Schlichter, who has spent ten years in prison for gambling-related theft and public indecency charges, admitted to stealing an estimated $1.5 million for gaming costs and debts during his career.