Category sport-news

The arrest of an NBA coach and player in two extensive federal investigations highlights the potential cost of working with the gambling industry. US sports leagues jumped in to capitalize on the multi-billion dollar boom of legalized betting.

Former Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups, an NBA Hall of Famer, was detained for his alleged involvement in fabricated illegal poker games, which the prosecution claims were connected to Mafia crime families.

In both cases, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were accused of manipulating his play for the benefit of bettors.

The scope of the fraud was described as “mind-boggling,” according to FBI director Kash Patel, who described the criminal enterprise as “a criminal enterprise that encompasses both the NBA and La Cosa Nostra.” ”

It’s not necessarily surprising, though, for those who have witnessed how US leagues have grown more closely connected to the explosive sports betting industry.

Any of us can access a gambling app anywhere we are in seconds thanks to mobile and smartphone gambling, according to Dr. Professor of psychology and head of Vancouver’s University of British Columbia’s Center for Gambling Research.

I study the psychology of gambling harm and the psychology of sports gambling,  how betting on a game might increase the excitement or the type of  fandom  of sports

In this most recent story about the NBA arrest, it ;s; we primarily think about that in terms of the fan. sort of brings  a focus on the athletes

“They’re  working in a world where there are so many gambling and opportunity opportunities that they are unable to resist.

The teams work with gambling, according to the statement. firms,  Players can be sponsored by the major leagues because they are all partnered.

The players and coaches are quite a bit exposed here, and that includes the way that gambling information is woven into sports broadcast, both in terms of the commentary and the odds updates. ”

Professional leagues took care to distance themselves from the lucrative operations of illegal bookmakers and offshore betting organizations up until 2018 and sports wagering was prohibited in most US states.

However, the US Supreme Court overturned a 1992 federal law that effectively outlawed sports betting in most states seven years ago.

In a 2014 New York Times opinion piece, NBA commissioner Adam Silver argued that sports betting should be pushed into the open so that it could be properly monitored and regulated. ”

It should come as no surprise that Silver and other league officials are attempting to seize control of the pie.

According to estimates from the American Gaming Association (AGA), which promotes the industry and monitors the economic impact of commercial gaming, commercial sports betting revenue has reached $ 10 billion as of August 2025. 9% more than the previous year’s same time last year.

However, according to the NBA, the indictments that were made public on Thursday stifled what ought to have been a celebratory season-opening week in the wake of a new, 11-year, $77 billion media rights agreement.

Billups and Rozier’s arrests shocked players in the league, but they also quickly changed their tune about the issue of the bust-driven online bets.

The way fans interact with each other has changed thanks to the prevalence of “prop” bets, which allow bettors to wager on in-game factors like how many points or assists a player will receive or even details like whether he’ll make his first three-point attempt.

Regardless of the game’s quality

When we step on the court, our players experience it a lot, according to Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.

Get a win before you used to hear ‘Vuc,” Now it reads, “Hey, my parlay is 10 rebounds. ’

It really pisses me off because it disrespects the game, I think. ”

Jaylen Brown, the star player for the Boston Celtics, demanded more from the NBA to assist players in navigating the new environment.

When people have money involved, he said, it causes a negative conversation between the game and the players.

Stephen Curry, the star of the Golden State Warriors, stated on Thursday that he was reassured that the game’s integrity would remain intact. ”

However, teammate Al Horford argued that more must be done to “protect the players and be better.” ”

After winning the first-leg match against the Benin Republic on Friday, the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the Benin Republic 2–0 to advance to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in a comfortable manner.

The nine-time African champions dictated play from beginning to end and never appeared to be troubled by the first-half goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo.

Rasheedat Ajibade’s audacious sixth-minute lob beat goalkeeper Ogoun before crashing against the crossbar was a first-time Falcons’ intention. As Nigeria continued to put pressure on, Folashade Ijamilusi’s vicious drive soon after forced a fine save.

Fernandes also refrained from accepting a Saudi offer to pursue Man Utd Dreams.

With a pinpoint pass from Deborah Abiodun to Ihezuo, who made no mistakes from close range to give Nigeria a deserved lead, their dominance came to fruit in the 23rd minute.

Moumouni slipped through Nigeria’s backline in the 36th minute, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie brilliantly denied her.

These two photos https://twitter.com/9meVm4FXGI

Before halftime, Abiodun found Okoronkwo, who put together a composed finish to tie the game at 2–0.

Just before the break, Moumouni’s effort hit the post, which almost reduced the deficit for the Beninese side.

Nigeria fought off Benin’s late advances while maintaining control in the latter half. In the final moments, Nnadozie capped a strong defensive performance by keeping out Sadikou’s header with a reflex save. The defensive pairing of Osinachi Ohale and Tosin Demehin held firm.

Bruno Fernandes has revealed that he prefers to pursue his Manchester United aspirations over a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

In Saturday’s Premier League game against Brighton at Old Trafford, United captain Fernandes will make his 300th appearance for the club.

United have struggled for a lot of Fernandes’ time in Manchester, finishing 15th last season, which was the club’s worst final top-flight position since 1973-74.

Additionally, they lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final, which also undermined their chances of making it to the Champions League.

When Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal reportedly expressed interest, Fernandes was given a means of escape during the off-season.

He jest, however, and the 20-time English champions, who last won the title in 2013, rejected the move to concentrate on unfinished business.

“We always say we have an offer from Saudi because, after all, they must come wherever I am.” He said in response to his wife Ana and his family, “They can choose not to, but I’d prefer them to come.”

“And obviously, she said, “Are you successful at the club?” because she is aware of my absence.

Fernandes has occasionally received criticism for having too much emotion on the pitch and having frustrated tirades against teammates.

However, Ruben Amorim, the manager of United, acknowledges that the Portugal midfielder has a burning desire to win the Premier League and Champions League.

Fernandes stated that the manager spoke with her. He claimed that I was still a project participant. He desired that I remain. The club repeated itself.

I’ve always said, “Okay, I have to find a solution for myself, whatever is best for me and my family, and I will leave” if the club was like “Bobby, we want to cash in, we want to make some money, we don’t think you can be part of the future project” or whatever.

“But it’s obvious that wasn’t the case.” I believed that whatever our goals were, the club could still benefit from my involvement in the plan.

Fernandes has a year’s contract with the option to extend it until 2027.

And the 31-year-old won’t be able to talk about his future until after the World Cup in 2014.

He said, “I feel good here, as I’ve always said. “I still want to realize my dreams. I can’t speak by the side of the club, though, of course.

I’ve seen a lot of news, they say. I’ve heard a lot of people saying I’m ready to leave the following season. I haven’t spoken with anyone because that agreement was never made with the club because it wasn’t made with me.

Riad Bajic, a Bosnia and Herzegovina attacker, scored the winning goal for AEK Larnaca to defeat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League.

After two rounds, Bajic’s second-half home earned the Cypriots a second-place finish behind Fiorentina in the standings.

After losing their first home game in a European competition, Palace are now 18th.

The English club’s coach, Oliver Glasner, told TNT Sports, “You have to understand that small mistakes get punished when you play in Europe.”

The German continued, “We are frustrated and it hurts, but it’s our second game and our play was good.”

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With a header over the crossbar and a header from Jean-Philippe Mateta before the break, Palace had two of the best chances to break the deadlock.

After 51 minutes, Bajic surprised Selhurst Park, but despite a flurry of late chances, the hosts were unable to score an equalizer.

As a result of Mauritania’s substitution for Aboubakary’s goals, Koita scored twice as AEK Athens defeated Aberdeen 6-0.

After making their bow in continental competition in 1967, the Scottish side lost their heaviest defeat in European football.

As Rayo Vallecano’s draw at Hacken ended goalless in the 103rd minute, Romania right-back Andrei Ratiu scored the winner.

Due to bad weather, Sparta Prague had to cancel its trip to Rijeka.

In his first game in charge, new Rangers manager Danny Rohl suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Brann in a shock 2-1 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday, ending his perfect Europa League campaign.

Villa had a strong start on the European campaign by defeating Feyenoord and Bologna to cement their position as pre-tournament favorites.

The visitors in the Netherlands made seven changes, but Evann Guessand&nbsp fired in his first Villa goal, making it 2-0.

The home team’s famous victory came in their first ever group stage European football encounter, despite the choppy weather conditions.

Before half-time, Mathis Suray’s deflected shot, and Mats Deijl dinked over Emiliano Martinez to give the Dutch Cup winners the lead.

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Emi Buendia missed a late penalty with the chance to salvage a draw at Tottenham, but Villa’s match-winner came on Sunday.

Rangers’ chances of reaching the last stages are thawing after their third successive defeat in the Europa League placed them at the bottom of the 36-team standings.

The Scottish giants, who lost to Norwegian opposition for the first time in their history, had no immediate effect after changing managers.

Brann took a half-time lead thanks to Emil Kornvig’s converted at the back post.

Noah Holm rubbed salt in Rangers’ wounds before Jacob Sorensen punished more subpar defending by heading in from a free kick.

When Sean Dyche takes over at home in Porto in the summer of 2017, he hopes to bring back Nottingham Forest’s first European campaign in 30 years.

After only 40 days and eight games in charge on Saturday, Forest, who had taken just one point from their opening two games, sacked Ange Postecoglou.

When Celtic host Sturm Graz, Celtic will attempt to kick off a disappointing season.

Corentin Tolisso and Afonso Moreira scored the goals that gave Lyon the lead in the 2-0 victory over Basel, continuing their 100 percent record.

After overcoming Red Star Belgrade 2-0, Braga are the only other team to have won three of their three games so far.

Bologna won their first league game with a 2-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest.

Real Betis were held 0-0 away at Genk, while Fenerbahce defeated Stuttgart 1-0.

Inter Miami has extended Lionel Messi’s contract, which will allow the Argentine superstar to play for the next two years until the end of the 2028 campaign.

The simple caption “He’s Home” appears in a video of Messi signing a contract while he is seated at a table in the middle of the team’s new Freedom Park stadium, which is currently under construction.

In a club statement, Messi, 38, stated, “It makes me really happy to stay here and continue with this project that has also become a dream and has turned into a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park.

Messi continued, “I’ve been very happy since I arrived in Miami, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.”

David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami, said Messi’s decision to stay extended was in line with his “commitment to the city, the club, and the game.”

Beckham remarked, “He still wants to win and is still as committed as he has ever been.” We consider ourselves fortunate as owners to have a player who loves the game as much as he does, who has contributed to the game’s advancement as he has, and who can inspire the next generation of young talent as he does.”

The 2025 MLS season’s current contract expires at the end of the World Cup winner’s reign.

After club sources told AFP last month that the franchise had reached an extension agreement, the new agreement had been seen as a formality.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico host the World Cup in 2026, but Messi’s contract guarantees that he will continue competing until the end of that year.

The final will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19 and will begin the tournament on June 11.

After a disappointing time at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi left for Inter Miami in 2023, but his most successful career was spent there from 2004 to 2021. He played for Barcelona as a youth undergrad before joining the Spanish giants.

He won the La Liga title ten times at Barcelona and four times the UEFA Champions League title.

He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, and he wants to try to keep the trophy the following year.

He has won the Copa America twice with Argentina in 2021 and 2024 and has 114 international goals.

MLS goals and background

Although Messi’s potential rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal could do the same for him at a sixth World Cup in 2017, which would establish a new all-time record.

The eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or has 16 career World Cup goals, just three goals short of Miroslav Klose’s.

Argentina comfortably advanced to the finals of the following year, coming in nine points clear of South America.

In what may have been Messi’s final competitive game against Venezuela two weeks ago, he finished with eight goals, including a brace.

Even though Inter Miami did not make the playoffs, he was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in the 2024 season.

He became the fastest player in MLS history to score 40 goals in 2025.

After finishing third in the Eastern Conference this year, Messi has resurrected Miami and placed it in contention for the playoffs.

He won the MLS’s Golden Boot award for his 29 goals in 28 games as he wrapped up Inter Miami’s regular season with a superb hat-trick last Saturday in a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC.