URGENT UPDATE: Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups will not receive their salaries while on leave amidst serious federal gambling charges. This shocking development was confirmed by sources to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with paychecks expected to be withheld and placed in escrow as the FBI investigates their cases.
Rozier, whose salary for this season is approximately $26.6 million, faces intense scrutiny after being arrested on October 23, 2023, just hours before the NBA suspended him. The implications of this decision are significant as both Rozier and Billups have been embroiled in gambling-related allegations, raising urgent concerns about the integrity of the sport.
The FBI has accused Rozier of conspiring with associates to manipulate bets based on his performance during a game on March 23, 2023, while he was still with the Charlotte Hornets. This incident, where Rozier played minimally, has drawn parallels to previous cases in the league, including that of former Toronto player Jontay Porter, who was banned for similar infractions.
In a recent twist, Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, announced that a federal lien, initially reported to be over $8 million, has been satisfied. Trusty claims that Rozier owed only a small fraction of that amount. “There was never a debt of $8 million,” Trusty stated, emphasizing that Rozier’s actual tax liability for the year was just $9,000, which has been paid. However, the lien remains a public record, and its status is still unclear, with local officials yet to respond to inquiries.
Both Rozier and Billups were among nearly three dozen individuals arrested in connection with gambling investigations last week. The NBA’s investigation into Rozier’s activities has raised questions about how such sensitive information is managed. Sportsbooks had flagged unusual betting patterns related to Rozier’s performance, prompting the NBA to conduct a review, although they did not find sufficient evidence to impose penalties.
As the situation unfolds, both the NBA and federal authorities face scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, who have demanded clarity on how the league handled these allegations.
What happens next is crucial. If Rozier is cleared of the charges, he could receive his withheld payments in full. The league is under pressure to reassess its policies regarding gambling and player information, a move that could reshape the landscape of professional basketball.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
