Sports
NBA obtaining cell phones from Lakers, other teams in investigation into illegal gambling scheme: report
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The NBA is reportedly seeking cell phones and other property from multiple teams as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims, who each have close ties to superstar LeBron James, have reportedly already cooperated in handing over their cell phones to the outside law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which has been contracted by the NBA to help carry out the investigation, The Athletic first reported.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) defends during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” an NBA spokesman said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday. “As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Lakers for comment.
The NBA is in the midst of handling a bombshell scandal that resulted in the federal indictment of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones for their alleged roles in a criminal gambling scheme, last month.
Congress got involved when the House Committee on Commerce Friday sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver requesting information and a briefing to obtain information related to the scandal. The bipartisan letter was signed by six members of Congress on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The committee is seeking five key points of information from Silver:
“1. Details about the fraudulent, illegal, and alleged betting practices in connection with NBA players, coaches, and officials, including the actions of NBA players and coaches identified in the recent indictment; as well as prior instances, some of which are identified above,” the letter states.
“2. Actions the NBA intends to take to limit the disclosure of nonpublic information for illegal purposes. 3. Whether the NBA’s Code of Conduct for players and coaches effectively prohibits illegal activity, including the disclosure of non-public information for the purposes of illegal betting schemes. 4. An explanation of the gaps, if any, in existing regulations that allow illegal betting schemes to occur. 5. Whether and how the NBA is reevaluating the terms of its partnerships with sports betting companies.”
The letter also references comments made by Silver during an appearance Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” where the commissioner expressed support for more federal sports betting regulation.
“I think, probably, there should be more regulation, frankly,” Silver said. “I wish there was federal legislation rather than state by state. I think you’ve got to monitor the amount of promotion, the amount of advertising around it.”
The Department of Justice listed seven NBA games that saw high-stakes wagers after non-public information was disclosed to gamblers.
Rozier’s alleged involvement came in a game March 23, 2023, when he told a childhood friend, Deniro Laster, that he would take himself out of a game early, citing an injury, so Laster could place wagers based on the information. Neither Hornets officials nor betting companies were made aware of Rozier’s plan, according to the indictment, and Rozier was not listed on the team’s injury report.
HEAT’S TERRY ROZIER ARRESTED AS PART OF FBI SPORTS BETTING PROBE
Laster then allegedly sold that information to other co-conspirators, and numerous people placed wagers totaling roughly $200,000 on Rozier’s “under” prop bets to hit in both parlay and straight wagers. After Rozier played just nine minutes and never returned, the bets won. Rozier and Laster counted cash winnings at Rozier’s home in Charlotte roughly a week later, an indictment says.
The DOJ says the player was eventually ruled out with a lower-body injury. LeBron James did not play that night due to an ankle injury that kept him out for two more games. The game in question was played two days after James scored 38 points to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Another game the DOJ mentioned was a Portland Trail Blazers–Chicago Bulls matchup March 24, 2023, the day after Rozier played nine minutes, and a co-conspirator, “an NBA coach at the time,” allegedly told a longtime friend, who is also a defendant in the rigged poker scheme, that the Blazers would be “tanking” that night for a better draft pick and would sit some of the team’s best players. The resting of the players had not yet been public information.
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Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Rozier and Jones were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA announced that Rozier and Billups were placed on immediate leave from their teams, “and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities.”
“The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said.
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Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid on his trail, while a move for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo is being considered by Tottenham. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs in Europe keeping close tabs on the situation of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri are yet to make progress on a potential contract renewal for the 25-year-old as they are unwilling to continue his current €12m-per-season deal, but would be open to signing him to an extension on a reduced salary. Less than two months remain before Vlahovic will enter the final six months of his contract, when he will be allowed to discuss a pre-contract agreement with teams from outside of the Serie A.
– A move for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo is being considered by Tottenham Hotspur. Football Insider reports that Spurs have identified the 24-year-old as an alternative to Everton‘s Iliman Ndiaye, as they continue to look for options to strengthen their right flank. It is reported that Kubo, who has scored one goal in 10 LaLiga games this season and has previously been linked with Liverpool, could be signed by activating a €60 million release clause in his contract.
– Manchester United are planning to make two marquee midfield signings in the upcoming transfer windows, according to The Mirror. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, is reported to be the No. 1 name on their short list, and he is expected to be available for a transfer fee of less than £100 million. The Red Devils also remain keen on 21-year-old Brighton star Carlos Baleba, though the Seagulls would demand a fee worth at least £100 million.
– Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are leading the race to sign Olympiakos midfielder Christos Mouzakitis, according to Nicolo Schira. The trio of Premier League sides are all reported to be interested in the 18-year-old, who is also on the radar of Napoli. Mouzakitis has been capped seven times by Greece at senior international level, and it is reported that an offer worth €30 million would be required to persuade his side to let him go.
– Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy is set to explore a move away from the club, reports TEAMtalk. It is reported that Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Man United could be offered the chance to land the 29-year-old due to a release clause in his contract, but whether the Red Devils enter the race would hinge on how much they feel such an addition would impact the playing time of Benjamin Sesko. Meanwhile, Nicolo Schira says that a club in Saudi Arabia is “ready” to make a three-year contract offer to Guirassy worth €20m per year.
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Laurens: Losing Gabriel Magalhães is the last thing Arsenal want
Julien Laurens gives an update on Gabriel Magalhães’ fitness as the Arsenal defender was taken off during Brazil’s game vs. Senegal.
OTHER RUMORS
– Chelsea are considering a late swoop to secure a loan move for Real Madrid striker Endrick, who is close to joining Lyon. (Cadena Ser)
– Real Madrid and Manchester City are keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown. (Bild)
– Santos forward Neymar could consider a move away from the club in January when he is set to become a free agent. (Fabrizio Romano)
– There will only be a move from Barcelona for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane if they do not renew the contract of 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski. (Sport)
– Both Sunderland and Brentford have enquired regarding a potential move for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez. (Calciomercato)
– Arsenal are in the race for Feyenoord midfielder Quentin Timber, who is the twin brother of Gunners defender Jurrien. (Caught Offside)
– An agreement over a new three-year contract is close to being reached by AC Milan and center back Fikayo Tomori. (Nicolo Schira)
– Internazionale are interested in a €10 million deal for Genoa wing back Brooke Norton-Cuffy, 21, who arrived in the Serie A from Arsenal in 2024. Inter also remain in the race for Norton-Cuffy’s teammate in midfielder Morten Frendrup. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to bring Fulham winger Adama Traore to the London Stadium. (Football Insider)
– Al Ahli have no plans to part ways with striker Ivan Toney in January. (Goal)
– Bayern Munich are planning to offer attacking midfielder Lennart Karl a new contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Crystal Palace and West Ham are among the teams interested in Bayern Munich right back Sacha Boey. (Ekrem Konur)
– Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza. (Football Insider)
The Commanders dropped to 3-8 with a 16-13 overtime loss to the Dolphins on Sunday in Madrid. Here are four key moments from the game.
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Two top NFL stars butted heads during their game on Sunday afternoon and one of them was forced to leave the game early.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase got into an altercation in the fourth quarter of their AFC North matchup. The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.
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Jalen Ramsey, right, of the Steelers is held back by teammates after being ejected during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
NFL officials were watching the incident closely as a flag was thrown. Players from both teams congregated around Ramsey and Chase. The wide receiver was hot and had to be held back from escalating the incident any further.
The CBS broadcast also showed an earlier incident between Chase and Ramsey. The two players appeared to grab each other’s facemasks before their bad blood boiled over.
NFL COMMISSIONER PRAISES INTERNATIONAL SERIES; LEAGUE PLANS TO RETURN TO SPAIN
Steelers cornerback James Pierre breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Ramsey had four tackles and a pass breakup before he was thrown out. Pittsburgh was leading 20-9 at the time.
Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, was traded to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason. He’s played in nine games for the Steelers coming into the matchup against the Bengals. He has 43 tackles, an interception and two sacks this season.
Jalen Ramsey of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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Chase, despite playing with backup quarterbacks this season, had an NFL-leading 76 catches going into the Steelers game. He has 831 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
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Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona, Bayern, Man United fight for Vlahovic
Commanders vs. Dolphins highlights: Four big moments from Washington’s 16-13 loss in Madrid
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