Shaquille O’Neal Backs Off ‘Embarrassing’ Confession About Chauncey Billups’ Alleged Gambling Scandal
Hall of Fame analyst and NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal said he was ashamed to learn of the gambling scandal involving three NBA luminaries.
“I know Chauncey (Billups), I know Damon (Jones) very well … I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and careers in jeopardy. … if you’re making $9 million … how much more do you need?”
Shak on the sports gambling investigation.pic.tvitter.com/aUCBjzNVcs
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 23, 2025
The FBI has identified the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers Chauncey BillupsMiami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones in a wide-ranging investigation related to illegal sports betting and all three were arrested Thursday.
The investigation involved four mob families and organized crime networks, FBI Director Cash Patel said.
O’Neal talked about the scandal during ESPN’s pregame show Thursday night. “We all know the NBA letter of the law when it comes to gambling,” he said. “I know Chauncey (Billups), I know Damon (Jones) very well. It’s a shame that those guys would put their families and careers in jeopardy. If you’re making $9 million, how much more do you need? There’s an old saying in the hood, ‘Any money isn’t good money.’ “
O’Neal normally likes to poke fun at fellow panelist and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, but he agreed with Barkley about the mistake made by those involved in the gambling scandal. “I agree with you, Chuck,” O’Neal said. “They dropped the ball.”
The scandal involves fixed poker games and NBA inside information
According to information released by authorities, gamblers were able to use inside information Rozier provided to place bets on seven games in 2023 and 2024 involving the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.
“Let’s not slander”, Patel said. “This is an insider trading saga for the NBA, that’s what this is.”
Billups was arrested in Portland for his role in an underground poker game-fixing scheme supported by mob families, according to information gathered from arresting authorities. Rigged games used technology to extort millions from participants.
Rozier and Billups were rested by their respective teams.
2025-10-24 00:32:00
