Sources: Widespread Investigation Underway Into Alleged Game-Fixing in NBA, College Basketball

[AZProgressive]

A federal investigation into an organized web of alleged game-fixing in men’s basketball at both the professional and college levels is advancing, sources tell Sports Illustrated, with a grand jury convened and multiple jurisdictions involved.

In addition to former NBA player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league for life last year, investigators are looking into the performances of other NBA players, sources say. Veteran guard Terry Rozier, currently of the Miami Heat, is the subject of scrutiny dating back to his time with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, per sources. The Wall Street Journal originally reported the Rozier inquiry Thursday.

In a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023, Rozier started but played just 10 minutes and scored five points before taking himself out of the lineup, citing a sore foot, according to media reports from the game. Rozier did not play again that season. Rozier, an 11-year veteran and 14 points per game career scorer, is a much more prominent player than Porter, a lightly used bench player who averaged 3.7 points per game over parts of two NBA seasons.

(Snip)

Beyond the NBA, the federal probe is believed to involve as many as seven college programs, sources say. The schools are primarily from the mid-major and low-major ranks, with players allegedly involved in gambling on their own games or trying to alter the outcome of games during the 2023–24 season.

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/sources-widespread-investigation-underway-into-alleged-game-fixing-in-nba-college-basketball

[Mosby]

1. Its only going to get worse.

WTF did they think would happen when the NBA NFL and MLB got in bed with the international gambling companies?

[Botany]

2. Step on up ESPN

“In April 2024, the sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Greektown was relaunched as an ESPN Bet sportsbook—marking the first retail location under the new name. Its opening coincided with the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit, while ESPN Bet Live would broadcast two episodes on-location from Greektown.”

[ProfessorGAC]

3. I Think They Will End Upl...

...owing Terry Rozier an apology.
Dude is half way through a hundred million dollar contract, and he has been been plagued by nagging injuries, most of which he tried to play through over his 11 years.
Plus, the NBA already investigated and found no reason to pursue.
Betting Rozier might underperform in a mid-season game given his foot & ankle issues doesn't require a conspiracy.
With the low money guys & the 2 way or 10 day contract guts, I can see it, but a 10+ year vet with $150+ million in career earnings? Not seeing it.

[Mike 03]

4. I hope it's this

I know fixing and tanking happen at the amateur level, and some pro soccer, and even in the Olympics (i.e., badminton) but this would absolutely ruin faith in the affected sports. Knowing a little about the psychology of athletes at this elite level, it's so hard to accept more than a tiny few would lose on purpose. And we're talking about team sports, which is different than individual sports (tennis, etc.).

I'd hate to see anything come of this--although of course I want to know.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Same Here

I'm still amazed that with the potential money involved that competitors are even tempted, if they're on full contracts.
$1.15 million minimum for a rookie? A 10 year vet making a minimum of $3.3 million? How much could they make shaving to be worth the potential penalty?
But, we've seen individual athletes dump just because they'd prefer to go home. So, we never know wuth those sports.