Adam Silver Addresses NBA Integrity Concerns Amid Betting Scandal

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed concerns about league integrity following the emergence of a betting scandal involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Silver emphasized the NBA’s commitment to maintaining fair competition. These comments come as federal investigations continue, raising broader questions about the impact of legalized sports betting on professional sports.

Silver Emphasizes Integrity as Critical to the NBA’s Future

Speaking at a news conference during the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas, Silver stressed that the league’s long-term relationship with its fans depends on trust in game integrity. “I mean it when I say, if this game isn’t viewed as being honest and the competition being on the level and at the highest integrity, over time we will lose our fan base. I have no doubt about that,” Silver said. “And so, I take it incredibly seriously.”

Silver’s comments highlight the NBA’s heightened focus on protecting the credibility of its product, particularly as betting-related investigations draw increased scrutiny. He made clear that safeguarding competitive integrity is not only about enforcing rules, but about preserving confidence in the outcome of games and the legitimacy of the league itself.

How the NBA Is Combating Integrity Risks

The NBA has already taken several concrete steps to protect the integrity of its games as sports betting has expanded. The league maintains partnerships with data and integrity firms such as Sportradar and Genius Sports.

These firms monitor betting markets in real time to flag unusual wagering patterns that could indicate insider information or manipulation. When irregular activity is detected, the NBA cooperates with sportsbooks and law enforcement to investigate potential violations.

The league has also strengthened education programs for players, coaches, referees, and team staff, outlining what constitutes prohibited conduct, how betting rules apply, and the consequences of violations. These sessions are designed to prevent both intentional misconduct and inadvertent rule-breaking.

On the enforcement side, the NBA has shown a willingness to impose severe penalties to deter wrongdoing. In recent seasons, the league has issued suspensions and bans for gambling-related violations, signaling a zero-tolerance approach.

Together, these measures reflect the league’s broader strategy of monitoring behavior, providing education, and enforcing consequences to preserve competitive integrity and public confidence.

The Need to Limit Certain Betting Markets

Silver has also referenced changes sportsbooks can make to reduce integrity risks, advising operators to eliminate betting markets that may be more vulnerable to misuse. He specifically recommended removing prop bets tied to bench players and discontinuing two-way player markets, which can be more easily influenced by limited playing time or insider knowledge.

This would mean offering only “Over” and removing “Under,” preventing bench players with limited playing time from purposely going under their player props.

Narrowing the scope of available wagers would help protect the integrity of games by reducing opportunities for manipulation, while still allowing fans to engage with legal sports betting in a more controlled and transparent environment.