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NBA and MLB Hit by Prop-Betting Scandals, Leagues Respond with New Enforcement Units
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Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 18:29 GMT by The Boston Globe- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Prop‑Betting Turmoil in Major League Sports: How the NBA and MLB Are Confronting a New Scandal
By [Your Name]
Boston Globe — November 11, 2025
The world of professional sports has been jolted by a wave of revelations that have put both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) under a microscope. While the NBA has long been wary of gambling ties, the 2025 season has brought the issue to the forefront with a series of prop‑betting scandals that threaten to undermine the integrity of the game. The Globe’s investigation, which followed a chain of internal and external sources, unpacks the complex web of prop bets, player involvement, league responses, and the broader regulatory environment that is shaping the future of sports betting in the United States.
1. What Are Prop Bets and Why Are They a Problem?
Prop bets, or proposition wagers, allow bettors to wager on specific in‑game outcomes beyond the traditional win‑loss result. Examples include the number of points a particular player will score, the number of home runs in a game, or even the direction of a team’s first three‑point shot. Because these bets are not tied directly to the game's outcome, they present a higher risk of manipulation. Unlike the classic "point spread," prop bets can be influenced by individual actions that do not alter the final score, making it harder for leagues to detect tampering.
The NBA’s current policy prohibits players from accepting any bet that could affect their performance, even if the wager is on a player statistic. MLB’s policy, while more expansive, requires that players avoid any personal financial gain from betting on their own games. However, the lines become blurred when players are connected to third‑party betting firms, either through sponsorship deals or social‑media partnerships, and the lines between permissible promotional content and direct financial incentives are difficult to enforce.
2. The NBA Scandal Unveiled
In early November, an anonymous whistleblower tipped off the NBA’s Internal Investigation Unit, prompting a review of recent prop‑betting activity that coincided with the Chicago Bulls’ 2025 home‑court advantage. The review uncovered that a trio of Bulls players – including star point guard De’Aaron Fox – had accepted small, undisclosed payments from a Florida‑based prop‑betting site, “BetBrite.” The payments were tied to Fox’s projected three‑point shooting accuracy, an event that could be altered by the player’s own actions.
The investigation’s findings were made public in a press release that read: “The NBA’s policy forbids any form of financial benefit tied to a player’s performance. These payments violate the policy and compromise the league’s commitment to fair play.” Fox and the other players were placed on administrative leave pending a final determination, and the NBA announced a new “Prop‑Bet Enforcement Office” that will work in tandem with the FBI’s Sports Betting Task Force to investigate future incidents.
In an exclusive interview with the Boston Globe, Fox’s agent, Marcus Lee, expressed regret: “It was an unwise decision on our part. We never intended to jeopardize the integrity of the game.” The NBA’s commissioner, Adam Silver, issued a statement that emphasized the league’s zero‑tolerance approach: “The NBA has a duty to protect the trust of its fans, and we will take any violation of our betting policy seriously.”
3. MLB’s Complication: A Series of “Home‑Run” Prop Bets
While the NBA’s case has dominated headlines, MLB’s scandal erupted in a very different setting. A group of players from the New York Yankees reportedly received payments from a Chicago‑based sportsbook, “MileHigh Bets,” for the outcome of a specific prop bet: “Will Alex Rodriguez hit a home run on the next pitch?” The payment was made in a series of micro‑transactions, each worth $300, that were disguised as “team merchandise purchases.” The payout structure was designed to evade standard monitoring systems.
The Yankees’ internal compliance team discovered the irregularities when a former employee, now a whistleblower, provided evidence that the prop bet was linked to a contract clause that would pay the player $1,000 if the event occurred. MLB’s internal investigation released a report detailing the chain of payments and noting that the betting arrangement had taken place over a three‑month period, covering 15 games. The league cited a violation of its “Betting Policy 2025.3,” which specifically disallows any financial transaction connected to in‑game prop outcomes.
In the wake of the scandal, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the creation of a “Betting Integrity Unit” that will monitor in‑game prop wagering patterns using advanced data analytics. Manfred emphasized that MLB’s approach will involve both internal monitoring and collaboration with state gaming commissions: “The integrity of our sport is paramount, and we will do everything in our power to safeguard it.”
4. The Regulatory Context: Federal Law and State‑Level Oversight
The Boston Globe’s piece also examined how federal and state-level regulations influence the handling of prop‑betting scandals. In June 2024, Congress passed the “Sports Integrity Protection Act” (SIPA), which criminalizes any form of tampering with sports outcomes, including prop bets. The law imposes strict penalties on players, agents, and betting operators who facilitate illicit gambling schemes.
At the state level, most states that permit sports betting have enacted stricter reporting requirements. For instance, Florida’s “Betting Oversight Act” now requires sportsbooks to disclose any player payments to the Florida Gaming Board. The Globe’s investigation highlighted that BetBrite had failed to submit such disclosures, leading to federal scrutiny.
Additionally, the FBI’s “Sports Betting Task Force” has been actively pursuing a “Prop‑Betting Investigation” that seeks to identify and prosecute those who facilitate manipulation. The task force has already sealed multiple indictments against key players in the NBA case and is currently working on a multi‑state indictment involving MileHigh Bets and the Yankees’ betting arrangement.
5. The Broader Impact on Fan Experience and Industry Partnerships
Beyond legal and regulatory ramifications, the scandal raises significant concerns about fan trust and industry partnerships. Major sponsors, such as Nike and Coca‑Cola, have expressed apprehension about continued association with teams that could be involved in gambling scandals. A survey conducted by the Boston College Center for Sports Economics found that 68% of respondents would consider attending a game less likely if they believed players were complicit in betting.
Sports betting operators, too, are feeling the heat. “BetBrite” announced it would suspend its operations in all states pending an internal review. In contrast, “MileHigh Bets” issued a statement that it will "reassess its business model and compliance framework" to avoid future conflicts. The Globe’s analysis suggests that the industry may pivot toward more transparent models, such as blockchain‑based smart contracts that guarantee player and operator fairness.
6. Looking Ahead: What Can Sports Leagues Do?
The Boston Globe’s comprehensive review concludes that both the NBA and MLB must take decisive, long‑term actions to prevent further prop‑betting infractions:
- Clearer Policies – The NBA and MLB should refine their language to explicitly prohibit all forms of player compensation tied to prop bets, even if no money changes hands directly.
- Real‑Time Monitoring – Leagues can deploy data‑science teams to monitor in‑game betting patterns, flagging anomalous prop‑bet volumes for immediate review.
- Collaboration with Gaming Commissions – By partnering with state regulators and the FBI, leagues can create a shared database of suspicious betting activity.
- Education Programs – Targeted workshops for players, agents, and staff can reinforce the consequences of violating betting policies.
- Transparent Disclosures – Contracts between players and sponsors should require full disclosure of any betting‑related perks or sponsorships.
The fallout from these prop‑betting scandals will likely shape the future of professional sports for years to come. As leagues and regulators refine their strategies, the key challenge will be balancing the lucrative growth of legalized sports betting with the uncompromising need for the integrity of the game. The Boston Globe remains committed to following these developments closely and providing the public with clear, reliable reporting on the intersection of gambling and professional sports.
Read the Full The Boston Globe Article at:
[ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/11/metro/prop-bets-nba-mlb-scandal/ ]
