Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was banned for life from the NBA on Wednesday after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose.
Porter is the second person to be banned by Commissioner Adam Silver for violating league rules. The other was now-former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in 2014, shortly after Silver took office.
In making the announcement, Silver called Porter’s actions “blatant.”
“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” Silver said.
The investigation started once the league learned from “licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets” about unusual gambling patterns surrounding Porter’s performance in a game on March 20 against Sacramento. The league determined that Porter gave a bettor information about his own health status prior that game and said that another individual — known to be an NBA bettor — placed an $80,000 bet that Porter would not hit the numbers set for him in parlays through an online sports book. That bet would have won $1.1 million.
Myanmar's jailed former leader Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest
Lucy Hale reveals what her current equation is with her Pretty Little Lies co
Nicole Brown Simpson documentary in production at Lifetime as 30
Costco member spotted returning vintage item from 2002 under retailer's 'unlimited grace period'
Catholic officials in Brooklyn agree to an independent oversight of clergy sex abuse allegations
DAN WOOTTON: Has Meghan swerved the Coronation because she can't stand the thought of being booed?
Costco member spotted returning vintage item from 2002 under retailer's 'unlimited grace period'
Gladiator II: Paul Mescal battles Pedro Pascal in first footage from Ridley Scott's highly
Pilot who died last week in Indiana plane crash was Purdue student, authorities say
Afternoon tea makes a comeback thanks to the snap
An NPR editor who wrote a critical essay on the company has resigned after being suspended
Queen Letizia channels Spring with a colourful floral dress for an event in Cordoba