Silver Says NBA Is Taking Gambling Scandal Seriously, May Check Out
LAS VEGAS (AP) - It is vital for the NBA to be perceived as having integrity, Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday, including that the gaming scandals that resulted in the arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier, Portland coach Billups and others are being taken with the utmost severity.
Silver's remarks in a news conference shortly before the start of the NBA Cup final were his first considering that Rozier, Billups and others were jailed in October. He spoke in Las Vegas, a gaming mecca that the league has actually used for significant occasions like the Cup last and Summer League for a long time.
"I believe the fans care a lot," Silver stated. "It ´ s difficult to make judgments, either anecdotally over what some fans are saying or what ´ s even on social media. Fans absolutely care. And I suggest it when I say, if this video game isn ´ t viewed as being truthful and the competitors being on the level and at the highest integrity, over time we will lose our fan base. I have no doubt about that. And so, I take it incredibly seriously."
The NBA is not sure how long the examinations and legal processes surrounding gambling charges faced by Rozier, Billups - a Basketball Hall of Fame conscript - and others will require completed, Silver stated.
But the league will look into the possibility of giving Miami some sort of "acceptable relief" because Rozier currently can ´ t play, Silver added, though he stopped short of saying such a relocation would be possible.
"This is an extraordinary circumstance," Silver stated.
Miami Heat's Terry Rozier, right, leaves Brooklyn federal court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in New york city. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
It ´ s a multi-layered issue for the league and the Heat, offered that Rozier ´ s$26.6 million income takes up about 17 % of the team ´ s cap area - which the team still owes Charlotte a first-round choice in either 2027 or 2028 to please the regards to the trade that brought Rozier to Miami. It ´ s uncertain who understood that Rozier was under federal investigation when the Heat made the trade with the Hornets.
Rozier pleaded not guilty earlier this month to wire scams and money laundering conspiracy charges coming from allegations that he assisted some friends win bets that revolved around his analytical efficiency in a game played in March 2023, when he was with Charlotte. Rozier is complimentary on $3 million bond and isn ´ t expected back in court up until March, and he remains on unsettled leave from the Heat.
Prosecutors state Rozier notified the gamblers that he meant to leave the game versus the New Orleans Pelicans early with a supposed injury, allowing gamblers to position wagers making them tens of countless dollars. Rozier played the very first 9 minutes and 36 seconds of the game before leaving, pointing out a foot issue. He did not play again that season and was consequently traded to the Heat.
Rozier isn ´ t receiving his pay, but his wage is still on the Heat ´ s books and is being sent to an interest-bearing account pending resolution of his case or some other agreement.
"We ´ re going to try to work something through, work this out with them," Silver said. "But there ´ s no obvious service here. I would simply say that there ´ s no doubt at the minute they have a gamer that can ´ t perform services for them. ... Obviously, he hasn ´ t been founded guilty of anything yet either - however this is an unfortunate situation. Sometimes there ´ s these special events and maybe in some cases they need an unique solution."
Billups likewise pleaded not guilty last month to charges related to a separate plan to repair high-stakes, Mafia-backed poker video games. Rozier, Billups and previous NBA guard Damon Jones were among more than 30 people - consisting of numerous Mafia figures - jailed in October as part of a vast federal takedown of unlawful gaming operations connected to professional sports.
The league needs annual training for gamers, coaches and staff about what's allowed and what isn't permitted regarding betting, which is now legal in many states. Silver famously promoted legalization of sports wagering in an op-ed he composed for The New york city Times in 2014.
The circumstances with Rozier and Billups have led to a quest for even increased awareness, Silver said. The league is likewise taking a look at how finest to ensure prop bets based solely on a gamer's analytical efficiency - like the ones made on Rozier ´ s March 2023 game - can be executed fairly.
"We ´ ve been enhancing our efforts at the league workplace, dealing with our groups, looking at every element of our rules around sports betting," Silver stated. "Exist much better ways to inform the individuals? Are there changes we should make in how injuries are reported? ... We're in the procedure as I said today and working with our teams thinking of anything else we can be doing, if there ´ s any aspect of our system that needs to be shored up."