The National Basketball Players Association is appealing the NBA’s decision to place Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on unpaid leave following his arrest on federal charges related to an illegal sports gambling scheme, citing the league’s action as violating its collective bargaining agreement.
The NBA placed Rozier on leave hours after the Justice Department unsealed the indictment accusing him of sharing his intention to leave a March 23, 2023 game early with co-defendant Deniro Laster. Laster allegedly sold that information to sports gamblers for $100,000.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is also facing federal charges for his alleged involvement in a rigged poker gaming ring. He was similarly placed on unpaid leave by the NBA.
“While we agree with the league that maintaining the integrity of the game is of the utmost importance, their decision to place Terry on unpaid leave violates the presumption of innocence and violates the terms of our collective bargaining agreement,” an NBPA spokesperson said. “We intend to challenge their decision through the appropriate channels.”
The NBA previously investigated Rozier when he played for the Charlotte Hornets after suspicious gambling activity raised red flags. The league set him free and he continued to play the past two seasons.
Rozier’s $26.4 million salary will be placed in escrow, league sources confirmed. The amount represents the final year of his four-year, $96.3 million contract.
The NBA’s 676-page collective bargaining agreement does not specifically allow the league to place players on unpaid leave for gambling-related matters. The only provision for unpaid leave is in the domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy section.
Article 35 of the NBA Constitution gives Commissioner Adam Silver broad discretion to punish players who bet on NBA games. The punishment may include fines, suspension, expulsion or permanent disqualification.
The NBA banned Jontay Porter in April 2024 after discovering he had been betting on games and manipulating statistics. Porter later pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges filed by the same U.S. Attorney’s Office that prosecuted Rozier.
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