ESPN
ESPN has found itself in an awkward position after the explosive NBA gambling arrests. On Thursday morning, FBI director Kash Patel dropped a bombshell when he revealed that several current and former NBA stars were arrested for their participation in an illegal gambling ring and sports rigging operation.
“Individuals such as Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones and Terry Rozier were taking into custody today, former,current NBA players and coaches…this is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned the course of years.”
🚨BREAKING: Kash Patel names multiple high-profile NBA arrests in an alleged illegal gambling ring that spanned years.
More than 30 people were arrested in the case — including current and former NBA stars and suspected members of the American branch of the Sicilian Mafia, La… pic.twitter.com/EXuu2VxylP
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 23, 2025
According to the FBI, NBA player Terry Rozier allegedly had over $200K delivered to his home after bettors cashed in on his under.
Via The Athletic
“On March 23, 2023, Rozier, while playing for the Hornets, let others close to him know that he planned to leave early with injury. Associates bet more than $200,000 on Rozier’s unders and winnings were delivered to Rozier’s home, the indictment alleges.”
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg awkwardly spoke about ESPN and the league’s history with sports gambling while a ticker on-screen promoted ESPN’s sports gambling website, ESPN Bet.
The ESPN Bet ticker was slowly removed while Greenberg addressed the NBA gambling arrests on air.
“Sports gambling was something that was always in the shadows. It was something leagues stayed far away from, it was something networks like ESPN would stay far away from.”
ESPN just quietly removed their “ESPN Bet” logo during a segment on Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups’ gambling arrests this morning
You can’t make this up. 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/gGFmVCqhR0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 23, 2025
Fans went on to mock ESPN for covering the sports gambling controversy while also promoting sports betting.
ESPN promoting its sportsbook while covering the arrests of three NBA figures in a gambling scandal perfectly captures how much sports media has been captured by betting.
The industry can’t even talk about what gambling is doing to fans without selling it at the same time. https://t.co/6u71ua2OlJ
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) October 23, 2025