Miami Heat fans were shocked in January 2025 after the news of Terry Rozier’s alleged involvement in game fixing and sports betting and now, it is the whole NBA world that’s in a state of confusion as the Federal Bureau of Investigations tries to sweep the league for gambling ties of key personalities.
Rozier was arrested by the FBI in a hotel in Orlando where the Heat earlier played. His crime involves that one game in 2023 when he allegedly told specific people that he will leave the game early and told them to bet on his “under”.
The 31-year-old veteran’s arrest is just the tip of the iceberg according to FBI director Kash Patel.
“The fraud is mind boggling,” Patel said. “We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation.”
NBA responded by saying that “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
Rozier was charged with “indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.”
Also named in the news for alleged betting scandal is Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones.
Terry Rozier was used for ‘photo op’
The Heat guard has been under investigation since January and his camp has been operating, reason why they were shocked that he was arrested. Before this, the player has been trying to restart his basketball life and his team has shown support.
His lawyer Jim Trusty claimed that they were told that his client will be used as “subject” and not a target. He thought the arrest was done for the media to feast on.
“It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self surrender they opted for a photo op,” he said via CNN.
“They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing.”
Rozier is out of jail now according to CBS news affiliate News 6 WKMG and it cost him a fortune. This includes putting up his $6 million Florida property as a collateral bond. He was also demanded to surrender his passport.
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