NBA Scandal Shakes the Country
When news broke on Oct. 23, 2025, that Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones were among more than 30 people arrested in a sweeping federal investigation, the NBA world was stunned. This was no ordinary scandal — it involved a massive, Mafia-linked illegal gambling and sports-betting operation that spanned 11 states and implicated insiders in allegedly leaking confidential game information, faking injuries, and rigging poker games. The fallout sent shockwaves through the league, raising questions about the integrity of professional basketball and the reach of organized crime within sports.
The Who: Billups, Rozier, and Jones
Chauncey Billups, 49, is a celebrated figure in basketball, known as "Mr. Big Shot" during his 17-year NBA playing career and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. After retiring as a player, Billups transitioned into coaching and was in his fifth season leading the Trail Blazers at the time of his arrest. According to authorities, Billups was allegedly involved in illegal poker games held in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons. These games are said to have been backed by three notorious New York Mafia families — the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese — and Billups, along with Jones, was allegedly paid for their participation, as reported by PEOPLE.
Terry Rozier, 31, a guard for the Miami Heat, was also arrested. Rozier's journey to the NBA is a story of resilience, having been raised primarily by his mother while his father was incarcerated for much of his life. Rozier was traded to Miami in January 2024 and is in the final year of a lucrative four-year, $96.3 million contract he originally signed with the Charlotte Hornets in August 2021. Authorities allege Rozier was involved in rigging games by sharing insider information about team rosters and player availability with bettors. Notably, he allegedly faked an injury during a March 2023 game to benefit the betting ring, a move that enraged bettors and sportsbooks alike, as reported by PEOPLE.
Damon Jones, 49, a former NBA player and assistant coach, was charged with participating in both the illegal poker and sports betting schemes. Jones played for multiple NBA teams during his 11-year career and served as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers. His involvement in the scandal bridges the two related but distinct criminal cases.
The What: Arrests and Indictments
The arrests were part of a coordinated FBI operation targeting a sprawling criminal enterprise that exploited insider access to NBA athletes and games. Over 30 individuals were taken into custody across 11 states, with indictments filed in two major cases. The first case involves six defendants accused of orchestrating a brazen sports corruption scheme that manipulated NBA games by exploiting confidential information about players and teams. The second case involves 31 defendants, including former professional athletes, who allegedly rigged underground poker games using high-tech cheating devices to steal millions of dollars from victims, as reported by PEOPLE.
The FBI described the operation as "historic," involving tens of millions of dollars in fraud, as reported by PEOPLE. The illegal poker games were reportedly backed by La Cosa Nostra crime families, highlighting the deep Mafia connections behind the scheme. The defendants used a network of "strong bets" to place maximum wagers, increasing their profits while causing millions in losses to others.
The Where: Across 11 States, Portland and Miami at the Center
The investigation spanned 11 states, with key activities centered in major NBA cities like Portland and Miami. Billups was arrested in Portland shortly after his team's season opener, while Rozier was taken into custody at his hotel in Orlando during a game against the Magic. The illegal poker games took place in high-profile locations including Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons, underscoring the national scope of the operation.
The When: Arrests Announced Oct. 23, 2025
The arrests were announced on Oct. 23, 2025, marking a dramatic moment early in the NBA season. The timing added to the shock, as fans and league officials were just settling into the new season. The FBI's coordinated takedown was described as historic, reflecting years of investigation into the illegal gambling rings and sports corruption.
The Why: Exploiting Insider Access for Tens of Millions
At the heart of the scandal is the exploitation of insider information about NBA athletes and games. Defendants allegedly used confidential details about player injuries, roster changes, and game strategies to place fraudulent bets and rig outcomes. Rozier's alleged faked injury during a 2023 game is a prime example of how insiders manipulated the sport for financial gain. The scheme also involved rigging underground poker games with cheating technology, further expanding the scope of the criminal enterprise.
The FBI and U.S. attorneys emphasized the scale and sophistication of the operation, which combined traditional organized crime with modern technology and insider access. The involvement of high-profile NBA figures like Billups, Rozier, and Jones brought unprecedented attention to the case and raised concerns about the integrity of professional sports.
What This Means for the NBA
The scandal has prompted the NBA to reevaluate its approach to sports betting and game integrity. League commissioner Adam Silver had previously expressed concerns about the impact of sports betting on the league, noting efforts to limit prop bets on players with less stake in competition to prevent manipulation, as reported by PEOPLE. This case underscores the challenges the NBA faces in balancing the growing popularity of legalized sports betting with the need to protect the fairness of the game.
As the investigation continues, the NBA and law enforcement agencies will be under pressure to ensure accountability and restore trust. For now, the league and its followers are left grappling with the fallout of a scandal that has shaken the very foundation of the game.
References: NBA Head Coach and Multiple Players Arrested in Mafia-Linked Gambling Scheme | Who are Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones?
