The first court case involving a co-conspirator in the illegal NBA gambling scheme that has rocked basketball has concluded.
And Timothy McCormack, who somehow found himself on the inside of the coup, was handed a two-year prison sentence by a federal judge in Brooklyn on Thursday.
He had pled guilty to using inside information to defraud bookmakers in the elaborate scheme, which centred around the alleged actions of current and former NBA stars Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter.
They are accused of deliberately under-performing in games so that a gambling syndicate could profit by betting on the ‘unders’ side of their performance prop lines.
Cold Hard Fraud
Prosecutors in Brooklyn were seeking a four-year sentence for McCormack, claiming that he was responsible for ‘cold, hard fraud’ in using non-public information to defraud.
“Without people like the defendant, these schemes can’t work,” prosecution lawyer David Berman told the court.
However, he also added that McCormack was ‘not as culpable as some of his co-conspirators.’
McCormack’s testimony may be used in other cases linked to the alleged fraud, with Rozier currently out on a $3 million (£2.2 million) bail while he awaits trial.
The Miami Heat player has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges levelled at him, which include wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.
It has been alleged that Rozier deliberately under-performed in at least one NBA game while playing for the Charlotte Hornets. In an indictment, it’s claimed that the 31-year-old told associates that he would leave a March 2023 contest against the New Orleans Pelicans early due to injury.
Rozier was benched after ten minutes, citing a foot injury, and a total of $200,000 (£147,000) in bets placed on his prop lines won – including one individual who wagered more than £10,000 on the morning of the game.
A number of bookmakers reported suspect betting patterns, but the NBA – undertaking their own investigation – cleared all involved of any wrongdoing.
“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” said the US Attorney, Joseph Nocella.
“This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.”
Rozier, who is still contracted to Miami Heat, has been placed on administrative leave. He is scheduled to appear for his next court date in March.
Jontay Porter, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him back in 2024. Considerably in debt with Brooklyn-based gambler Ammar Awawdeh, Porter agreed to under-perform his prop lines as part of a fraudulent scheme.
The former Toronto Raptors player admitted to feigning injury so that he would be benched and fall short of his prop lines, so that Awawdeh – and a group of associates that included Timothy McCormack, could prosper.
Porter was found guilty of conspiracy and immediately banned for life by the NBA. He also admitted his guilt to a federal conspiracy charge and awaits sentencing.
Super Bowl Gambling Ads to Double in 2026
Elsewhere in America…
In February, the next instalment of the Super Bowl – the most watched and most bet-upon sporting event on the planet – will be held.
And NFL chiefs have confirmed that space will be made in the battle for TV advertising space during the ‘Big Game’ for six gambling operators.
That is an increase on the three ads that were ringfenced for betting firms in 2024… a marker of the growing influence of sports wagering in the United States.
Advertising during the Super Bowl is an expensive affair, with a 30-second spot during a break expected to set firms back a cool $8 million (£5.9 million).
However, the game draws a massive audience too, with 127 million tuning into Super Bowl LIX last year – a new record.
According to the NFL’s director of communications, Tim Schlittner, ‘six total ads are permitted from the period leading up to kick-off through to the game’s conclusion.’
That might seem like a relatively small number, particularly when compared to the number of gambling operators that advertise in the UK during live football games, but it does signal a 100% growth in Super Bowl betting ads in the space of just two years.
Back in 2024, the NFL’s general manager, David Highhill, confirmed that just three gambling ads would be shown during the Super Bowl broadcast – a plum slot just before the game kicked off and two more during the action.
“We’ve put some policies in place to limit the amount of advertising for sports betting that happens in our live games,” Highhill said.
“All told, less than 5% of all in-game ads are sports betting ads.”