The NBA has suspended Jontay Porter for life for violating the league’s playing rules.
A statement from the NBA read: “The NBA announced today that Jontay Porter, a two-way player recently signed to the Toronto Raptors, has been banned from the NBA.
‘A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.
‘The league’s investigation found that before the Raptors game on March 20, Porter disclosed confidential information about his own health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor.
‘Another individual with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet at an online sports book, to win $1.1 million, betting that Porter would underperform in the March 20 game.
The NBA suspended Jontay Porter for life for violating the league’s playing rules
‘The league’s investigation also found that Porter limited his own participation in the game to influence the outcome of one or more bets on his performance in at least one Raptors game.
‘In the game on March 20, Porter played only three minutes, claiming that he was feeling unwell. Due to the unusual betting activity and the player’s actions, the $80,000 proposition bet was frozen and was not paid out.
Additionally, from January through March 2024, while traveling with the Raptors or Raptors 905, the Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s online betting account. .
‘These bets ranged in size from $15 to $22,000, for a total of $54,094. The total payout for these bets was $76,059, resulting in net winnings of $21,965. None of the bets involved any games in which Porter played. Three of the bets were multi-game parlay bets that included a Raptors game, in which Porter bet the Raptors would lose. All three bets were lost.
‘Suspicious bets involving Porter’s performance in the March 20 Raptors game were reported to the NBA by licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets.
‘These findings are based on information available to league investigators at this time. The league’s investigation remains open and may result in more findings. “The NBA has shared and will continue to share information with federal prosecutors regarding this matter.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “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 blatant violations of our Jontay Porter’s rules of the game are being punished with the most severe punishment.
‘While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important questions about the adequacy of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players.
“Working closely with all relevant industry stakeholders, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and our game.”
More to follow.