Arbitrator Orders NBA to Release Terry Rozier’s Withheld Salary
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An independent arbitrator on Monday ruled that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier must receive his full 2025-26 salary, ending a months-long dispute between the player and the NBA, according to sources familiar with the decision.
The league and the Heat had placed Rozier’s approximately $26.6 million salary in escrow in December after the guard was indicted in a federal gambling investigation. The arbitrator determined that the collective bargaining agreement permits unpaid leave only in cases involving domestic or child abuse, and therefore the escrow violated the contract, sources said.
Terry won today under principles of contract law and the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players, but the bigger principle at issue is the presumption of innocence,
attorney Jim Trusty said in a statement. Today’s arbitration ruling reminds the NBA that they can’t ignore that important concept just because it’s a high-profile case.
The National Basketball Players Association, which appealed the decision to withhold Rozier’s pay, welcomed the outcome. We are pleased with the arbitrator’s ruling and remain committed to ensuring Terry’s due process rights are protected and that he is afforded the presumption of innocence throughout this process,
a union spokesperson said.
ESPN reported it had reached out to the NBA for comment. As of Tuesday afternoon, the league had not responded publicly.
Background of the Investigation
Rozier was arrested and indicted in October on conspiracy counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he informed an associate that he planned to exit early from a March 2023 game while with the Charlotte Hornets, enabling bettors to place more than $200,000 on unders tied to his performance. Rozier has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys filed a motion in December seeking dismissal of the case. The government’s reply to that motion was due Monday.
Despite remaining on Miami’s roster, Rozier has not appeared in a game this season.
Source: ESPN
