Federal investigators are reportedly expanding their probe into suspicious sports betting activities, with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and NBA veteran Malik Beasley now linked to the ongoing case that led to the lifetime ban of former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. The connection among these players and a mysterious figure known only as "Moose" suggests a broader network of alleged gambling irregularities.
The investigation into Jontay Porter culminated in his lifetime ban from the NBA in April 2024. Porter pleaded guilty in July 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting he schemed to exit games early to ensure "under" prop bets on his performance would pay out. Court documents revealed Porter communicated directly with co-conspirators, even texting "Hit unders for the big numbers" and detailing how he would feign injury or illness.
Terry Rozier, currently with the Miami Heat, is also under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. This probe stems from unusual betting patterns observed in a March 23, 2023, game when Rozier was with the Charlotte Hornets. A professional bettor placed 30 wagers totaling over $13,000 on the "unders" of Rozier's statistics in that game, all of which won after Rozier exited early due to a foot issue. While the NBA's initial investigation in 2023 found no rule violations by Rozier, the federal inquiry remains active, with his attorney stating Rozier is not a target but has cooperated with officials.
Malik Beasley, a current NBA veteran, has also been reported to be under federal investigation as part of the same probe. While specific details of Beasley's alleged involvement are less public, the ongoing federal inquiry suggests a pattern of suspicious betting activity extending beyond individual cases. The tweet from Tom Haberstroh, which sparked renewed interest in these connections, stated, "How are the Jontay Porter, Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley investigations connected? A mysterious figure that went by 'Moose' put those names together MONTHS before anyone else did publicly. And then deleted his account." This suggests an individual with prior knowledge of these interconnected betting schemes.
The expanding federal investigation underscores concerns about the integrity of sports betting, particularly with the rise of prop bets that focus on individual player statistics. Authorities are working to uncover the full extent of these alleged schemes and any potential coordination among players and bettors. The outcomes of these ongoing investigations could have significant implications for the players involved and the broader sports betting landscape.