NBA Commissioner Adam Silver broke his silence on the federal indictments of Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier in a gambling scheme. His comments, made during the Amazon Prime Video broadcast of the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics game, expressed his deep concern for the league’s integrity. 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.” He apologized to fans for the situation and highlighted the league’s commitment to protecting the game’s fairness.
Silver explained that the NBA investigated Rozier’s case, which opened in March 2023 when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. Despite sports books alerting the league to unusual betting patterns, the NBA found no sufficient evidence to sanction Rozier. Silver noted that Rozier cooperated with the investigation, providing his phone and sitting for an interview. Nonetheless, the league concluded there was not enough proof to take action. Rozier remains on administrative leave, and Silver emphasized the need to balance protecting people’s rights with the investigation.
The scandal has drawn the attention of Congress, with the House Committee on Commerce sending a letter to Silver requesting detailed information. The committee seeks clarity on the alleged betting practices, the NBA’s measures to prevent illegal activities, the effectiveness of the league’s conduct code, and gaps in current regulations. Additionally, they are inquiring about the NBA’s reevaluation of its partnerships with sports betting companies. The bipartisan letter was signed by six members of Congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Rozier faces charges for allegedly conspiring with associates to win bets based on his statistical performance, similar to the case of former Toronto player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league in 2024. Billups is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, tied to Mafia-backed rigged poker games. He is also linked to the credentials of someone described as Co-Conspirator 8 in the indictment, which details how some individuals provided inside information about player health statuses to gamblers.
The arrests have overshadowed the league’s opening week, drawing significant attention from both the media and lawmakers. This incident underscores growing concerns within the NBA and broader sports community about the intersection of sports and illegal betting. The situation highlights the challenges leagues face in maintaining integrity while navigating the evolving landscape of sports betting and its regulatory implications.