Former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been hit with new federal charges accusing him of taking a $100,000 kickback to intentionally play poorly in a 2023 game while he was still with the Charlotte Hornets. The charges, filed Thursday in a superseding indictment, escalate a sweeping sports betting probe that has now ensnared 34 defendants since October 2023.
The Alleged Scheme
Prosecutors say Rozier agreed to manipulate his performance during a specific Hornets game in exchange for the payment. The indictment does not name the game, but sources familiar with the case say the alleged fix was aimed at influencing betting markets. Rozier is accused of receiving the money before the game and then underperforming—though the exact play-by-play details remain sealed.
The bribery charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. It joins an existing wire fraud case against Rozier that was already pending. The superseding indictment effectively merges the two cases, meaning Rozier now faces a combined set of federal counts.
Broader Investigation
The probe, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, has been quietly expanding for more than a year. Investigators have charged a mix of current and former NBA players, team staffers, and gamblers in what they describe as a coordinated effort to corrupt games for betting profit. Rozier is the highest-profile player to be accused so far.
The investigation began after irregular betting patterns were flagged on a handful of games during the 2022-2023 season. Since then, authorities have used wiretaps, bank records, and cooperating witnesses to build cases. The 34 defendants include players such as Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty to a related conspiracy charge earlier this year.
Legal Status Next Steps
Rozier's attorney has not commented publicly on the new charges. The former guard, who now plays for the Miami Heat, was not arrested Thursday. He is expected to surrender in the coming weeks or appear via video for arraignment. A court date has not been set.
If convicted on the bribery count, Rozier would face up to five years in federal prison, plus potential fines and forfeiture of the alleged $100,000. The existing wire fraud charge, which relates to a separate scheme, carries a maximum of 20 years. The two cases will likely be resolved together, though no plea deal has been discussed in court filings.
The NBA has not suspended Rozier pending the outcome of the criminal case, but league officials are monitoring the situation. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the commissioner has discretion to impose discipline if a player is found to have violated the league's anti-gambling policy. Rozier continues to play for the Heat while the case proceeds.
