The Portland Trail Blazers coach and a Miami Heat player were arrested. The controversy is enormous because the FBI relates the events to members of the “La Cosa Nostra” mafia family.
In the last few hours an unexpected scandal occurred in the world of NBA. In question, Chauncey Billupscoach Portland Trail Blazersand the player Terry Rozierof Miami Heatwere arrested as part of an investigation for alleged involvement in an illegal betting network. Furthermore, the former player Damon Joneswho played 11 seasons in the league, was also arrested.
The arrest of Billups (49 years old), head coach of the Blazersis related to a clandestine poker operation that, according to police sources cited by the chain ABC.
The former baseman of the Detroit Pistons would have ties to the mafia and, according to FBIthe investigation is related to members of “La Cosa Nostra.”
In parallel, Rozierescort of Heatwas also arrested within the framework of a different investigation but connected to the same betting scheme.
According to what was published in TheAthleticthe player was accused of telling members of a betting ring that he would leave a match early, allowing them to make money knowing it wouldn’t rack up stats. Your agent, Aaron Turnerconfirmed his arrest in connection with the federal investigation, but stated that the player planned to contest the charges, having previously been acquitted by the NBA in july 2023.
The context of this scandal dates back to the expansion of legal sports betting in USAfacilitated by the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Law (PASPA) in 2018.
The NBA They have established alliances with betting operators and have obtained economic benefits, although they maintain a cautious stance regarding the risks of an uncontrolled environment.
The police commissioner of New York, Jessica Tischspoke about it: “Terry Rozier, on the Miami Heat, left a game early with a fake injury and profited from a bet.”
Source: Ambito
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