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MLB commissioner addresses sport’s illegal gambling scandal, will cooperate with Congress on investigation

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MLB commissioner addresses sport’s illegal gambling scandal, will cooperate with Congress on investigation


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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday the league will cooperate with a U.S. Senate committee’s request for documents detailing gambling investigations

“We’re going to respond fully and cooperatively and on time to the Senate inquiry,” Manfred said during a news conference at an owners meeting.

The sport has been rocked by a scandal involving Cleveland Guardians players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who are accused of aiding gamblers by taking bribes to rig pitches.

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during the first round of the MLB Draft July, 13, 2025, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee sent a letter Monday to Manfred asking for information by Dec. 5. 

The committee is asking for responses to six questions by that date:

  1. “How and when was MLB made aware of suspicious betting and game manipulation activity by Emmanuel Clase or Luis Ortiz? Provide documents sufficient to support your response?”
  2. “Provide documents sufficient to show MLB’s policies and procedures relating to sports betting, gambling, or game rigging by MLB or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners.”
  3. “List any investigation into an MLB or affiliate team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners for violating MLB rules relating to sports betting, gambling, or game rigging or related criminal conduct between January 1, 2020, and the present.”
  4. “Provide all documents related to any investigation listed in response to Request 3, including: Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation; Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any relevant investigation; and Findings, conclusions, and actions taken as a result of any relevant investigation.”
  5. Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation;
  6. Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any relevant investigation; and
  7. Findings, conclusions, and actions taken as a result of any relevant investigation.”
  8. “Provide communications between MLB and any sports betting platform or sports gambling integrity monitor regarding suspicious or flagged sports wagers: Placed by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners; or Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players, or teams.”
  9. Placed by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners; or
  10. Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players, or teams.”
  11. “Explain the extent to which MLB has addressed and plans to further address the alleged instances of sports betting, gambling, and game rigging that have occurred including: How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure; How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its rules relating to cellphone use during games; and How MLB plans to ensure players, employees, coaches, and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”
  12. How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure;
  13. How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its rules relating to cellphone use during games; and
  14. How MLB plans to ensure players, employees, coaches, and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”

Two days after the indictments were unsealed on Nov. 9, MLB said its authorized gaming operators will cap bets on individual pitches at $200 and exclude them from parlays.

“We think the steps we’ve taken in terms of limiting the size of these prop bets and prohibiting parlays off them is a really, really significant change that should reduce the incentive for anyone to be involved in an inappropriate way,” Manfred said.

MLB CRACKS DOWN WITH NEW BETTING LIMIT AFTER CLEVELAND PITCHERS CHARGED IN GAMBLING SCHEME

Sen. Ted Cruz

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee sent a letter Monday to Manfred asking for information by Dec. 5.  (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Manfred said MLB’s internal investigation into the Cleveland pitchers didn’t have a timetable. Ortiz was placed on paid leave July 3 and Clase was placed on leave July 28. 

“We think that we should take advantage of the offseason to make sure that we conduct the most thorough and complete investigation possible,” he said. 

Both Ortiz and Clase have pleaded not guilty. 

Clase and Ortiz were arrested and appeared in federal court in New York last week. Clase, a three-time All-Star, pleaded not guilty to charges that he took bribes to help gamblers win money on his pitches. Ortiz also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Officials said in the indictment that, from May 2023 to June 2025, Clase agreed with one co-conspirator to “throw specific pitches in certain MLB games” so that the bettors they were allegedly partnered with “would profit from illegal wagers made based on that inside information.” Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025.

The indictment said Clase conferred with one bettor to throw a ball on the first pitch of an at-bat when he was brought into games in relief. The indictment pointed to instances in specific games, including May 19, 2023, vs. the New York Mets; June 2, 2023, vs. the Minnesota Twins; and June 7, 2023, vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Clase allegedly began to request and receive bribes and kickback payments for agreeing to throw the specific pitches in April, according to the indictment. In one instance, the indictment said, Clase used his phone in the middle of a game to coordinate with a bettor on a pitch he would throw.

Bettors allegedly won $400,000 from betting platforms on pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025.

When Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme, the indictment said, he agreed to throw balls over strikes on certain pitches in exchange for bribes or kickbacks. He allegedly agreed to throw a ball on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners for around $5,000 in his first pitch in the second inning.

The indictment said Ortiz agreed to throw a ball in his first pitch of the third inning on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals for $7,000. In June 2025, bettors won at least $60,000 on pitches thrown by Ortiz.

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Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase’s leave was extended indefinitely Aug. 31, 2025. (IMAGN/AP)

The indictment announcement came weeks after three NBA figures were swept up in an FBI operation involving alleged illegal gambling. Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were among the more than two dozen arrested in the alleged scheme.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Transfer rumors, news: Adeyemi would prefer Arsenal move over Man United

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Transfer rumors, news: Adeyemi would prefer Arsenal move over Man United


Borussia Dortmund‘s Karim Adeyemi prefers a move to Arsenal over Manchester United, while Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is wanted by AC Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are one of the clubs to have discussed Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi with Jorge Mendes, TEAMtalk reports, adding that the 23-year-old favors a move to Arsenal over any other interested club. Adeyemi has a contract that runs until 2027 but could leave before then, and the Germany international is open to making a move to the Premier League as he feels he is well suited to the game in England.

– AC Milan want to sign Robert Lewandowski as a free agent when Barcelona striker’s contract expires in the summer, Tuttosport reports. The Rossoneri believe that the Poland international, 37, can further strengthen a winning mentality that coach Massimiliano Allegri and veteran midfielder Luka Modric have helped to develop. The latter has been so influential that Milan have already decided that they want to take up the option of a one-year renewal of the 40-year-old’s contract.

– Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United are among the clubs actively monitoring the situation of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, according to TEAMtalk. The 22-year-old signed a long-term contract that runs until 2030, but the deal includes a gentleman’s agreement or release mechanism that could be activated by clubs in certain European competitions. The exact figure is undisclosed but is estimated to be as much as €55 million.

– Roma are eyeing Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee to strengthen their attack in January, according to Sky Sports Italia reports. The former Bologna player’s five appearances for the Red Devils this season have all been as a substitute, and he has only scored seven goals for the club since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2024. However, Roma believe the 24-year-old’s Serie A experience can help them in their title bid — they are level on points with leaders Inter Milan after 11 games this season — while The i Paper reports that Everton and West Ham United are also keen.

Sunderland‘s Granit Xhaka is a prominent name on Juventus‘ list of targets as the Serie A club looks to strengthen their midfield in January, according to Tuttosport. They had already looked to sign the 33-year-old in the summer but the move fell through. The Bianconeri believe that the Switzerland international’s leadership, technical ability, physicality and tactical intelligence could help them. Even so, it is uncertain whether they can agree a deal with the Black Cats with €15m potentially being required.

EXPERT TAKE

play

1:45

Cash: Lewandowski still at the level of Kane & Haaland

Matty Cash praises Robert Lewandowski ahead of Poland’s World Cup qualifiers.

OTHER RUMORS

– Napoli continue to look at Kobbie Mainoo with Manchester United only willing to let the midfielder leave on loan. (Calciomercato)

– Chelsea will face competition from Juventus for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, whose contract expires at the end of the season. (Football Insider)

– Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Aston Villa, has held meaningful discussions with representatives from Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas. (Ekrem Konur)

– Borussia Dortmund have joined Manchester United in the race to sign 16-year-old AIK striker Kevin Filling. There is no agreement with any club but he could move in the winter window. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Barcelona have submitted an offer worth between €25m and €30m for Vasco da Gama winger Rayan. (Ekrem Konur)

– Brighton & Hove Albion is one of the Premier League clubs who could try to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García in January. (Daily Mail)

– AC Milan could look to sign a striker in January unless Santiago Giménez and Christopher Nkunku improve, and West Ham United’s Niclas Füllkrug is being evaluated. (Corriere dello Sport)

– AFC Bournemouth are exploring a move for Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who is valued at £20m and has received interest from other Premier League clubs including Arsenal. (Daily Mail)

– Aston Villa are willing to accept offers for Emiliano Martínez in January and are exploring alternative goalkeeper options. (Football Insider)

– Arsenal are stepping up their interest in twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente Del Valle. (Daily Mail)

– Leeds United are open to letting Willy Gnonto leave in January if they receive a suitable offer, as they want to make reinforcements of their own. (TEAMtalk)

– Udinese will request €40m for Arthur Atta and don’t want the midfielder to leave during the winter window despite interest from clubs in Serie A and abroad. (Nicolò Schira)

Tommaso Baldanzi‘s agent has held a positive meeting with Hellas Verona, who have re-opened talks to sign the Roma attacking midfielder on loan with an option to make the deal permanent. (Nicolò Schira)

– The prospect of Luis Henrique leaving Inter Milan in January can’t be ruled out. (Tuttosport)



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Arshad Nadeem Clinches Gold medal at 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games – SUCH TV

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Arshad Nadeem Clinches Gold medal at 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games – SUCH TV



In a spectacular display of skill and dominance, Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem captured the gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh, successfully defending his previous title and reinforcing his status as a national hero.

The competition, held at the renowned Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, highlighted Arshad’s exceptional talent as he outperformed a field of seven athletes, including fellow Pakistani Yasir Sultan, who claimed a well-earned silver medal.

The javelin final quickly became one of the standout events of the Games, with Arshad and Yasir entering as the leading contenders based on their season-best throws.

Arshad, coming off his Olympic gold victory, delivered a remarkable performance, recording a winning throw of 83.05 meters on his second attempt out of six.

This throw not only secured him the gold but also demonstrated his consistency and composure under pressure.

Yasir Sultan, who had previously won bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships, complemented Arshad’s triumph with a silver, giving Pakistan a one-two finish in the event.

Their impressive performances highlighted Pakistan’s growing strength in athletics, particularly in field events like the javelin.

Another Pakistani competitor, Salman Iqbal Butt, also participated but did not reach the podium in this highly competitive final.

The Islamic Solidarity Games 2025, which bring together athletes from Muslim-majority nations, have once again provided a dynamic platform for both emerging talents and established stars to showcase their abilities.

Arshad Nadeem’s gold adds to his illustrious collection, inspiring young athletes across Pakistan and beyond. As the games continue in Riyadh, fans are eagerly anticipating more medals from the Pakistani contingent.

This triumph serves as a testament to the rigorous training and dedication of Pakistan’s track and field athletes, positioning them strongly for future international competitions.



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The running man: Josh Allen on cusp of QB history

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The running man: Josh Allen on cusp of QB history


Josh Allen recorded a season-high three rushing touchdowns — and three passing TDs, for good measure — in the Buffalo Bills44-32 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, giving him 75 for his career.

Only three times in NFL history, including the postseason, has a quarterback had three passing and three rushing touchdowns in a game. Allen has done it twice (last year in a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams), and Otto Graham did it once in 1954.

Now in his eighth season, Allen is tied with Cam Newton for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history. One more, and the record is his alone.

However, Allen’s Week 12 opponent, the Houston Texans, is one of three teams to not allow a rushing score to an opposing quarterback this season (the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts are the others). Allen is -120 to score a touchdown Thursday night.

So, will he break the record in Week 12? Or will we have to wait? We asked our betting analysts for their predictions.

Will he break the record against the Texans?

Matt Bowen: Yes. Allen’s rushing usage in the low red zone is up, as he has five goal-to-go carries over his past three games. Look for that to continue Thursday, with Allen being deployed on designed run concepts in scoring position versus the Texans.

Eric Karabell: Yes, he will score. Sure, the Texans play strong defense. Allen can’t be defended at the goal line.

Pamela Maldonado: Yes. When Houston locks down the pass near the goal line, Allen is usually a run-it-in-himself kind of guy.

Seth Walder: Yes. Allen is always a threat to score, but he might need to rely on his scrambling ability more than usual against the elite Texans pass rush that could get after him in a hurry. Plus, it’s already high-leverage season for the Bills — who still have a shot at the No. 1 seed if they can go on a run — so they need every lever available to get a win, including relying on Allen’s legs.

Buffalo’s remaining schedule after Thursday’s game: @PIT, CIN, @NE, @CLE, PHI, NYJ



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