The Internal Revenue Service has issued a tax lien exceeding $8 million against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier as of November 2023. This financial action follows Rozier’s alleged involvement in an illegal gambling scheme, which gained attention when he reportedly exited an NBA game prematurely. According to county clerk records, Rozier owes a total of $8,218,211, and there is no record of a lien release, suggesting that the debt remains outstanding or is still being processed.
In addition, records from Broward County, Florida, indicate a separate construction lien against Rozier, filed in August 2022, which was partially paid off by July 2023. This lien related to work performed on his property and predates Rozier’s alleged gambling involvement, which reportedly spanned from December 2022 to March 2024 and implicated several NBA games.
Rozier was arrested last week as part of a broader FBI investigation into a sports betting ring that allegedly involved both current and former NBA players sharing confidential information related to players’ injuries and other non-public insights. This information was purportedly disseminated among a network of bettors engaged in substantial wagering.
The investigation notably highlights Rozier’s alleged role in a March 23, 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, wherein he reportedly withdrew from the match as part of a prearranged agreement linked to the gambling operation. In this specific game, Rozier played only 10 minutes before citing a foot injury, coinciding with $200,000 in prop bets placed concerning his performance metrics. He now faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
U.S. attorney Joseph Nocella remarked that the information allegedly manipulated by Rozier and others included insider knowledge about players’ participation status in games. The investigation revealed unsettling behaviors, such as intimidation tactics used to obtain information from other players.
Following his arrest, the NBA placed Rozier on administrative leave and announced that it would conduct a thorough review of the situation while being cooperative with federal authorities. Rozier has met with both the FBI and NBA multiple times since the investigation’s inception, consistently asserting his innocence amidst the ongoing probe. The league’s investigation into his actions is ongoing, highlighting an ongoing commitment to uphold integrity within the sport.
This situation not only casts a shadow over Rozier’s career but also raises deeper concerns about the influence of gambling within professional sports, prompting the NBA to evaluate its policies and potential vulnerabilities.