The NBA has taken firm action against Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, permanently banning him from the league due to serious misconduct. This decision follows an investigation uncovering Porter’s involvement in gambling activities without proper disclosure.
Porter’s expulsion stems from a violation of NBA regulations that relate to gambling. Investigators discovered that Porter discussed his health status and potential playing time in games to inform his betting decisions. Additionally, he placed bets on 13 NBA games using another individual’s online account.
The NBA’s decision to take action aims to safeguard the integrity and fairness of the game. Their primary objective is to uphold a playing environment where players and teams are dedicated solely to the sport, rather than engaging in gambling activities. The NBA formally announced and briefed its decision in a statement released on Wednesday.
“A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games,” read the press briefing.
During early 2024, while traveling with both the Raptors and their G League affiliate, Jontay Porter placed more than a dozen bets on NBA games using someone else’s betting account. These bets ranged from $15 to $22,000, accumulating to a total of $54,094. Out of these bets, he netted $21,965 in winnings, with the largest payout amounting to $76,059. Intriguingly, none of these wagers were placed on games in which Porter himself participated. However, he did place three combined bets, wagering on the Raptors to lose, but all three resulted in losses.
Following the NBA’s initiation of an investigation into his betting activities on March 25, Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets’ player Michael Porter Jr., has been absent from the court. The Raptors sidelined him before a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on that very night, and he has not returned since. This season marked Porter’s debut with the Raptors under a two-way contract, during which he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds across 26 games played.
Adam Silver hinted that Jontay Porter could be banned
Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at the possibility of Jontay Porter’s ban on April 10, a week prior to the NBA officially announcing Porter’s suspension.
Silver said, “I have an enormous range of discipline available to me,” following the league’s annual board of governors’ meetings in a hotel in midtown Manhattan. “However, what he’s being accused of in the NBA is a grave sin, and my only last resort is to ban him from the league.”
“This is the extent of my power in this place. Because in my opinion, there is no more serious form of gambling in this league than placing bets on our games. And that involves the player directly. Therefore, although the investigation is still ongoing, there could be bad repercussions,” he added.
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