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NBA

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The NBA Season started last month, but not without its drama.  In late October 2025, federal authorities announced the arrest of more than 30 individuals in connection with two overlapping illegal gambling schemes involving NBA players/coaches.

1. One case involves active players or recently active players supplying non-public information about their injuries, playing time, or other team decisions which could impact individual or team betting markets. For example, one of the games cited: on March 23 2023 in a matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans, one player left after nine minutes with a reported foot injury; the indictment alleges that information was shared ahead of time so bets could be placed. 
2. Active guard Terry Rozier (then of the Hornets) is among the individuals arrested. ​

3. Underground poker / organized-crime betting ring

   • The second scheme involved underground, illegal poker operations that were apparently backed or influenced by organized-crime families (e.g., the Genovese crime family, the Bonanno crime family) with elements of rigged games, rake fees, and money-laundering via crypto and other means. 

   • One of the individuals arrested is former NBA player and current head coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers, who is accused of participating in this underground poker operation.

• The operation spanned multiple states (reports mention 11 states) and allegedly involved tens of millions of dollars in illegal wagers and associated criminal activity. 

• Lawsuits/indictments referenced seven specific NBA games from March 2023 to January 2024 that were allegedly manipulated via prop bets.

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• Terry Rozier – Active NBA guard; alleged to have given non-public info about his own playing time/injuries to bettors. 

• Chauncey Billups – Head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers; alleged to have participated in an underground poker and betting ring tied to organized crime. 

• Former player/coach Damon Jones – Also named in one of the indictments for providing tips about NBA games. 

• Jontay Porter – Though his ban occurred earlier (2024) for manipulating his performance and betting, his case is thematically connected and cited as part of the context.
  In better news, the Sixers are off to a great start, with Maxey and Embiid returning to play.  However, a new star is on the rise and has been compared to the likeness of Allen Iverson (who by the way has a new book out now..Go Bubba Chuck!).   The new player is a 21 year old Bahamian name, VJ Edgecombs and he is a phenom, bringing excitement back to the Sixers game of basketball.  VJ broke Iverson's record for points scored by a rookie.  Let's go Sixers! 
   

NFL

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The Philadelphia Eagles welcome back, Brandon Graham, who returned after retirement to lend support to the team.  Welcome back BG!​  By the end of October, the Eagles were 6 wins and 2 losses.  Let's get another Super Bowl ring Eagles!

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BOXING

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Some notable fights that will take place in November 2025 are:

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• November 1: Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker in Manchester, England.

• November 8: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin in Fort Worth, Texas.

• November 14: Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis (exhibition) in Miami, Florida.

• November 15: Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn in London, England.

• November 22: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

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By Danette Clement

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