Porter Discusses Ongoing NBA Betting Scandal as Brother’s Case Unfolds

The 2025 NBA season opened under the shadow of one of the largest betting scandals in league history, a federal case that extended far beyond the court and into organized crime. Investigators uncovered a sprawling operation that involved rigged prop bets, manipulated poker games, and alleged ties to the mob. While dozens of individuals have been implicated, only one active player—Terry Rozier—has been arrested so far.

As the scandal continues to widen, questions surrounding Jontay Porter have resurfaced, especially given his previous lifetime ban from the NBA for violating league gambling rules. His brother, Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has become an unexpected voice in the conversation after publicly commenting on the situation during an appearance on the “Ball in the Family Podcast with Lonzo & Gelo Ball.”

Porter Jr. told the hosts he does not yet know the full scope of the investigation, but said the same individuals now tied to the federal case were also involved with his brother. He described the situation as “crazy,” adding that Jontay had been threatened and that the fallout has been ongoing for months.

While careful not to reveal specifics, Porter Jr. confirmed that he recorded a lengthy podcast episode with Jontay to share his brother’s perspective. However, due to the active federal case, the episode cannot yet be released.

1. Behind the Scandal’s Expansion

Federal authorities revealed earlier this year that the betting scheme extended across multiple states and was allegedly coordinated by members of organized crime groups. The operation involved manipulating prop bets placed on NBA games, as well as poker events arranged to generate illicit profits. Investigators believe the network reached into locker rooms, gambling circles, and social media channels used to recruit participants. Terry Rozier’s arrest marked the first major player development, though more individuals connected to the league remain under scrutiny. While Jontay Porter has not been newly charged in relation to this case, his earlier plea—admitting guilt to conspiracy to commit wire fraud—has kept his name in the headlines. Michael Porter Jr. emphasized that he has limited knowledge of the latest revelations and has been learning about new details at the same pace as the public. Still, he acknowledged that the people involved in the investigation were the same individuals who had pressured and threatened his brother. According to Porter Jr., the situation has placed significant emotional weight on his family, prompting him to seek clarity directly from his brother in the private setting of their recorded conversation.

2. Michael Porter Jr. Speaks Out

During his podcast appearance, Porter Jr. recounted how his brother confided in him about the threats and coercion he faced. He called the situation “wild” and “real crazy,” describing a dynamic in which Jontay was pulled into activities far beyond his control. Although he avoided discussing legal details, Porter Jr. suggested that much of the public story remains incomplete. He also noted that his brother had prepared to speak publicly much earlier but was advised against doing so until the federal investigation reached a more stable point. That delay has kept the family largely silent, leading to speculation about what ultimately led to Jontay’s downfall. Porter Jr. made clear that he personally does not gamble and has never been involved in betting activities, but acknowledged that the scandal hit close to home because of how directly it affected his family. Watching his brother face intense scrutiny and a lifetime NBA ban has, he said, been painful. Even so, he expressed hope that once the full story becomes public, people will better understand the pressures and circumstances surrounding Jontay’s decisions.

3. The Unreleased Podcast Episode

One of the most anticipated elements of the story is the three-hour podcast episode Porter Jr. recorded with his brother. The conversation, according to Porter Jr., was the first time the two deeply discussed everything that happened without interruptions or constraints. He described the session as emotionally intense and unexpectedly cathartic. “It was like a therapy session for us,” he told The New York Post, explaining that the long-form conversation helped both brothers process the events of the past year. Jontay reportedly offered full transparency during the recording, detailing his involvement, his mistakes, and the external forces that influenced his decisions. Porter Jr. emphasized that the public has not yet heard his brother speak candidly about the ordeal, and that the episode provides insight far beyond what court documents have shown. However, no part of the recording can be released until federal investigators give clearance. For now, Porter Jr. says the episode remains fully edited and ready—waiting for the moment the legal process concludes.