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Senate Demands Answers From NBA Commissioner Over Gambling Probes

Published 3 hours ago2 minute read
Uche Emeka
Uche Emeka
Senate Demands Answers From NBA Commissioner Over Gambling Probes

A United States Senate committee has escalated its scrutiny of the National Basketball Association (NBA) following federal indictments against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), sent a letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, declaring the matter one of "Congressional concern" and demanding comprehensive details regarding the league's approach to investigating potential gambling violations. This marks the second such letter from a Congressional committee to the NBA since the indictments were announced last week, implicating 34 individuals in two federal gambling investigations.

The committee, which oversees professional sports, explicitly requested the NBA to furnish documentation of its gambling policies and a thorough list of all investigations concerning betting activities. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the committee members stated, "The integrity of NBA games must be trustworthy and free from the influence of organized crime or gambling-related activity. Sports betting scandals like this one may lead the American public to assume that all sports are corrupt." This underscores a significant concern for public trust in professional sports.

Specifically, the Commerce, Science and Transportation committee sought documents pertaining to any investigations into players, coaches, employees, or owners that have occurred since 2020. They also requested communications exchanged between the league, sportsbooks, and integrity monitors regarding any suspicious wagers. Furthermore, the committee demanded the findings and report from the NBA's internal investigation into Terry Rozier, with a pointed inquiry: "This Committee needs to understand the specifics of the NBA's investigation and why Rozier was cleared to continue playing basketball."

According to the federal indictment, Rozier is accused of several severe actions, including sharing inside information, deliberately removing himself early from at least one game to benefit gamblers, and subsequently profiting from these illicit bets. The NBA, however, had previously stated in January 2025 that an investigation into unusual betting activity on Rozier's "unders" in March 2023 "did not find a violation of NBA rules." Following the recent federal indictments, Commissioner Silver reiterated that the league "couldn't find anything" in their initial inquiry. Silver further explained that Rozier had cooperated with league officials during that time, including participating in interviews and surrendering his phone, before the league "ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence, despite that aberrational behavior." He also affirmed that the NBA continues to collaborate with the government on the matter.

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