Adam Silver Decries Gambling Case That Led to Indictments of Rozier, Billups and Jones
adam-silver-decries-gambling-case
NEW YORK — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “deeply disturbed” by a widening gambling investigation that has already led to federal indictments against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard and assistant coach Damon Jones.
Speaking Friday night on Amazon Prime’s broadcast of the Boston Celtics–New York Knicks game, Silver told reporter Cassidy Hubbarth that the integrity of NBA competition “is more important than anything to the league and its fans.” He added, “I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”
The commissioner revealed that the league first noticed suspicious wagering activity in March 2023, when an unusual number of under bets appeared on Rozier’s prop lines ahead of a Charlotte Hornets game in New Orleans. Because those wagers were placed through regulated sportsbooks, Silver said, “they picked up aberrational behavior around a particular game,” prompting regulators and betting operators to alert the NBA.
According to Silver, the league opened an internal review at that time and found no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing. He stated that Rozier cooperated fully, surrendering his phone, sitting for interviews and providing access to his communications.
While the league’s inquiry stalled, federal authorities continued investigating. “The federal government has subpoena power,” Silver explained. “It can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office can’t do.” The probe culminated in indictments announced Thursday.
Rozier, Billups and Jones have been placed on administrative leave while the legal process unfolds. Silver acknowledged that the scandal has cast a shadow over the opening of the 2025-26 season, telling viewers, “I apologize to our fans that we are all dealing with this situation, but we’re committed to protecting the integrity of the game.”
Source: Hoops Wire
