📰🏟️ Major FBI gambling bust

Feds arrest NBA player + head coach…

Kyle Nowak

23 Oct 2025 — 3 min read

Good afternoon. Today’s juicy edition is filled with top sports stories. Let’s ride.

1) NBA star, head coach arrested in FBI gambling investigation

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat G Terry Rozier were arrested early this morning, as part of an 11-state FBI investigation into illegal gambling that also led to 32 other arrests.

Rozier’s case focuses on a March 2023 game when a series of bets totaling $200,000+ were allegedly placed on him to underperform, right before Rozier exited early with a foot injury.
Billups’ arrest stems from a separate FBI indictment accusing dozens of suspects of scheming to rig underground poker games tied to the Mafia.
Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones was also arrested over accusations of leaking inside info about the Lakers to bettors, including LeBron James’ availability.

Read the full story

2) San Francisco Giants make historic manager hire

The Giants named University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello as their new manager, making him the first in MLB history to be hired directly from college without any pro coaching experience.

Vitello, 47, led Tennessee to a Men’s College World Series title in 2024, and posted a 257-81 record over the past five seasons with the team.
He beat out multiple MLB veterans for the San Francisco job, even though the Giants had to pay Tennessee a $3M buyout to secure him.

Explore the manager unlike any other

3) NCAA approves sports betting for athletes

On Wednesday, the organization approved a rule change that will allow student-athletes and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports starting November 1.

Under the previous rules, athletes and staff were banned from betting on any sport that the NCAA sponsors, including professional sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc.
The new rule change doesn’t alter NCAA regulations preventing athletes and staff from betting on college sports, or rules banning them from sharing information with bettors.

More on the NCAA’s gamble

4) Saudi Arabia finally selected to host major tennis tournament

Saudi Arabia will host its first-ever ATP Masters 1000 men’s tennis tournament—considered one level below Grand Slams—starting in 2028, marking a major step in the country’s long game to become a power player in global tennis despite widespread criticism for human rights violations.

The new 56-player event, backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), follows nearly three years of negotiations with the ATP Tour.
The PIF is already an official naming partner of both the ATP and WTA, has partnerships with marquee events including Indian Wells, and is the sponsor for the WTA's new maternity leave program.

Inside Saudi’s tennis takeover

5) Soccer superstar Lionel Messi is staying in Miami

Messi, 38, announced a new contract with Inter Miami that will keep him with the MLS squad through the 2028 season. He initially joined Miami for two-and-a-half years in 2023, helping them secure the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy that year, and best overall MLS record in 2024.

Individually, Messi has won the 2024 MLS MVP award and most recently the 2025 Golden Boot, after recording 29 goals in just 28 games.
His new deal will see him lead Inter Miami into their new stadium next year.

Dive into Messi’s deal

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