Senate Demands NBA’s Response to Gambling Scandal Indictments

URGENT UPDATE: The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has officially reached out to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, demanding immediate details regarding the league’s investigations into potential gambling violations. This follows the shocking federal indictments of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former player Damon Jones, raising serious concerns about the integrity of NBA games.

In a letter sent on Monday, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), the committee expressed that the recent gambling-related indictments are a matter of “Congressional concern.” The committee insists on transparency from the NBA regarding its gambling policies and any investigations related to players, coaches, or employees since 2020. The letter specifically requests documentation on investigations into suspicious betting activities, highlighting the urgent need to maintain public trust in professional sports.

The committee’s letter states, “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 statement underscores the potential fallout from the ongoing investigations, as public perception is increasingly at stake.

This marks the second letter from Congress to the NBA since the indictments of Rozier, Billups, and Jones were part of a larger federal gambling probe involving a total of 34 individuals. The committee has demanded answers regarding communications between the NBA and sportsbooks, along with the findings from its internal investigation into Rozier, who is accused of sharing inside information and engaging in betting activities that could compromise game integrity.

According to the indictment, Rozier allegedly profited from sharing confidential information, including removing himself from at least one game early to benefit gamblers. Despite these serious allegations, the NBA previously stated that its investigation, launched in January 2025, found no violations of league rules regarding unusual betting activity surrounding Rozier in March 2023.

In response to the indictments, Commissioner Silver indicated that the NBA “couldn’t find anything” in their initial investigation. He emphasized that Rozier cooperated fully with league officials during the inquiry, including providing his phone for review. Silver reiterated that despite the “aberrational behavior,” the league concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to take further action.

As this situation develops, the focus is now on the NBA’s compliance with the Senate’s request and how it will address the serious allegations raised against its players and coaches. The committee is keen to understand why Rozier was allowed to continue playing amidst these serious accusations, signaling that the scrutiny on the NBA will only intensify in the coming days.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this unfolding story, which could reshape the landscape of professional sports and public trust in the integrity of the game.