The First Whistle: The (Sports) Gambler

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SPORTS GAMBLING

Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrested in gambling inquiries

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were among 34 people arrested in two federal investigations involving illegal sports betting and Mafia-backed poker games, officials announced Thursday. Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on leave by their teams.

The Investigations:
The FBI-led probe spanned 11 states and uncovered tens of millions of dollars tied to four Mafia families and organized crime networks. Authorities called it one of the most significant sports corruption cases since the legalization of online betting.

Sports Betting Scheme:
Rozier and Jones allegedly shared insider NBA information to influence bets on at least seven games between 2023 and 2024. In some cases, players reportedly removed themselves from games to affect outcomes.

Rigged Poker Games:
Billups faces separate charges for helping organize underground poker games rigged with cheating technology and linked to Mafia operations. Investigators say victims lost over $7 million since 2019.

Next Steps:
Both Billups and Rozier are charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying up to 20 years in prison. They’ve been released on bond under travel and gambling restrictions as the federal investigation continues.

📄 Read full ESPN article here

FOOTBALL IN SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

Saudi Arabia is setting its sights on American football as the next step in its global sports expansion. Backed by the $1 trillion Public Investment Fund and SURJ Sports, the kingdom already holds stakes in soccer, golf, motorsports, and tennis.

Recent Moves:
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will debut in Riyadh on March 21, featuring stars like Tom Brady and Saquon Barkley. Saudi official Turki Alalshikh said the event could pave the way for an NFL game in the country. College football figures, including Michael Lombardi and Trevor Reilly, have also visited Saudi Arabia exploring funding and NIL opportunities, while organizers even considered moving the Holiday Bowl there.

What’s Next:
Hosting an NFL or college football game would mark a major step toward adding American football to Saudi Arabia’s expanding sports portfolio, which already includes LIV Golf, Formula One, WWE, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

🏫 Read full Front Office Sports article here

PRIVATE EQUITY

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Unrivaled Sports, the youth sports holding company backed by investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer, has acquired Football ’N’ America (FNA), the flag football organization founded by Drew Brees in 2017.

The Deal:
FNA becomes Unrivaled’s fourth flag football brand, joining Under the Lights, New England Flag Football, and All-American Flag Football. Brees will remain closely involved, with Unrivaled calling the move a long-term partnership rather than a buyout.

The Bigger Picture:
Flag football is experiencing rapid growth—now played by 2.4 million kids in the U.S. and set to debut at the 2028 Olympics. The NFL is exploring professional leagues for men and women following the Games.

Unrivaled’s Strategy:
The company, which already owns Ripken Baseball and Cooperstown All Star Village, is expanding aggressively across youth sports. With U.S. families spending $30–40 billion annually on youth athletics, Unrivaled says it aims to “set the standard for what a great youth sports experience is.”.

💰️ Read full Front Office Sports article here

NBA VALUATIONS

The Most Valuable NBA Teams 2025

NBA franchise values continue to soar, averaging $5.4 billion—up 21% from last year, per Forbes. The Golden State Warriors lead the league at $11 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers ($10B) and New York Knicks ($9.75B).

Record Sales and Revenue:
The Warriors generated $880 million in revenue last season, more than double the league average. The Lakers’ pending $10 billion sale to Mark Walter would set a record for any sports team, reflecting strong investor appetite and anticipation for the NBA’s $76 billion media deal starting in 2025-26.

Market Momentum:
Recent team sales, including the Celtics ($6.7B) and Trail Blazers ($4.25B), confirm the league’s strength. New arenas, growing sponsorships, and potential global expansion—including a proposed European league—are keeping valuations high.

Big Picture:
Collectively worth over $160 billion, NBA teams have more than doubled in value since 2021, cementing basketball as one of the world’s most lucrative sports investments.

🏫 Read full Forbes article here

NCAA LEGISLATION

Tom Izzo sounds off on NCAA after Louisville signs ex-G Leaguer

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo voiced frustration after two former G League players — London Johnson (Louisville) and Thierry Darlan (Santa Clara) — were granted Division I eligibility.

What’s New
Johnson, who played three seasons in the G League, became the first domestic player from the league to join a college team. Darlan, an international prospect from the NBA Academy Africa, was the first G League player overall to gain NCAA clearance.

The Issue
NCAA rules traditionally bar players who have received professional compensation from competing at the college level. However, recent exceptions for international athletes and the rise of NIL have blurred the line between amateur and professional status.

Izzo’s Take
Izzo said the NCAA made the decisions without consulting coaches, calling it “embarrassing” and “ridiculous.” He warned that allowing former professionals into college basketball could take opportunities from high school recruits and destabilize rosters.

Bigger Picture
The moves could signal a new pathway from the G League to college basketball, expanding the transfer and eligibility debates already reshaping the sport. Izzo urged the NCAA to “regroup” and reconsider the long-term consequences..

🏫 Read full ESPN article here

Start 3/Bench 1

⬆️ Ohio High Schools. Ohio high school athletes can now sign NIL deals after a Franklin County judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking state rules that banned endorsements. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by 2027 four-star Ohio State commit Jamier Brown against the OHSAA. - Pete Nakos

⬆️ Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt’s transformation is reshaping its place in the SEC. Once considered an underdog, the program has rebuilt its facilities, embraced NIL, and turned into a legitimate contender under athletic director Candice Storey Lee and head coach Clark Lea. – Amanda Cristovich

⬆️ ŌURA. Oura, maker of the Oura Ring, raised over $900 million in new funding, led by Fidelity and ICONIQ, valuing the company at $11 billion. The investment will accelerate Oura’s AI-driven health innovations and global expansion as it continues its rapid growth in the wearable health tech market. - Business Wire

⬇️ Billy Napier. Florida fired head coach Billy Napier on Sunday after a 3-4 start to the Gators’ season. Napier is now owed about $21 million as his buyout. - ESPN News Services