Former NBA player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league due to a betting scandal, had his request to resume his basketball career in Greece denied by a federal judge. This decision came a week after Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the scandal. He paid a $250,000 (€228,626) bond and was released. Porter’s sentencing is scheduled for December 18 in New York.
ESPN reported Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall didn’t give the former Toronto Raptors player permission to play for Promitheas BC in the Greek Basketball League and Champions League in Europe.
Request to play in Greece
Porter had sought permission from the federal judge to retrieve his U.S. passport, travel to Europe, and live in Patras, Greece, where he intended to play. The request was unopposed by the U.S. attorney’s office and the U.S. pretrial services officer. Porter’s attorneys assured that his overseas plans would not interfere with his legal obligations in the U.S. and that he would continue his treatment for gambling addiction while in Greece.
Legal and personal implications
In their letter to the court, Porter’s attorneys highlighted that Promitheas BC was aware that Porter might need to return to the U.S. on short notice. They also emphasised the financial implications for Porter, noting that playing in Greece represented a crucial opportunity to earn income through his primary skill during his prime years as a professional athlete. Porter’s lawyer, Jeff Jensen, stressed that such opportunities were becoming scarce, particularly since Porter had been banned from the NBA.
Lifetime ban in the NBA
Porter was banned from the NBA in April after admitting his involvement in a betting scandal. His involvement in the scandal could result in a prison term ranging from 3.5 years to over four years.
According to the result of the NBA’s investigation, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s account. These bets totalled $54,094 (€49,469), with Porter receiving net winnings of $21,695 (€19,840).
Porter’s guilty plea is part of a broader investigation into a betting scandal where he conspired with others to manipulate game outcomes by underperforming. This fraudulent activity involved placing significant bets on prop bets related to his performance. One notable incident involved an accomplice placing an $80,000 (€73,160) bet and winning $1.1 million (€1 million) due to Porter’s actions. Four other individuals have also been charged in connection with this case.
In its press release of the findings, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the organization will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game. “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.
“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players.”
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