U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee leaders have called for answers from the National Basketball Association (NBA) following allegations of gambling corruption involving current and former league players and coaches.
Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver requesting documents related to the league’s investigation into Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. The lawmakers’ request comes after federal prosecutors charged several individuals with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, accusing them of using confidential information to profit from bets on NBA games.
According to indictments referenced in the letter, some players allegedly rigged games to ensure preferred outcomes for gambling purposes. In one case, Rozier reportedly informed friends he would leave a March 23, 2023 game early due to injury, leading associates to place successful prop bets on his performance. Sportsbooks and integrity monitors noticed suspicious betting patterns when Rozier played less than ten minutes and scored only five points.
The letter also cites other incidents, including an allegation that Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups shared inside information about player absences before a March 24, 2023 game against the Chicago Bulls, allowing conspirators to place winning bets. Another example involves Damon Jones, accused of sharing nonpublic injury details about a prominent Los Angeles Lakers player before a February 9, 2023 game.
Cruz and Cantwell noted that “no one has alleged that the NBA had any role in fixing these games,” acknowledging that the league prohibits players, owners, and staff from betting on NBA games or influencing results. They highlighted past disciplinary actions by the NBA, such as banning Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life in April 2024 after he was found guilty of similar offenses involving insider betting.
Despite reports that the NBA investigated Rozier’s activity around the March 23 game but “did not find a violation of NBA rules,” committee leaders said they need more details on how the investigation was conducted and why Rozier was cleared.
“This is a matter of Congressional concern. 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. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over professional sports, and as dedicated basketball fans, we want to ensure the NBA is protecting the integrity of the sport,” Cruz and Cantwell wrote.
They cited Senate rules granting their committee authority over issues relating to sports and commerce. The senators requested written responses from Commissioner Silver by November 10, 2025 regarding policies on sports betting as well as documents created since January 1, 2020 detailing how such cases are handled.
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