Two huge sporting stars in the United States are under investigation following accusations of gambling activity.
Malik Beasley, who spent the 2024/25 season with the Detroit Pistons, is alleged to have placed prop bets on a number of NBA games – it’s not known if they were matches that he personally was involved in.
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball is investigating Luis Ortiz, the Cleveland Guardians pitcher, after suspicious betting patterns were reported from two pitches that he delivered in MLB games.
Under the Microscope
The investigation into Beasley’s conduct is thought to relate to the 2023/24 season, when he was part of the Milwaukee Bucks squad.
Little else is known at this stage, although there are echoes of two recent cases – those of Jontay Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA after his involvement in a prop betting scam.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier was investigated after suspicious betting patterns were recorded during a game in which he featured for the Charlotte Hornets back in 2023. No charges were brought against him by the NBA or federal investigators.
So far, the NBA have remained tight-lipped on the probe into Beasley, although a spokesperson – Mike Bass – revealed that the organisation was ‘cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.’
The 28-year-old’s legal team has also moved to comment.
“There have been no charges against Malik,” Beasley’s lawyer, Steve Haney, said.
“It’s just an investigation at this point. We hope people reserve judgement until he’s charged – or if he’s charged. It’s not uncommon for there to be a federal investigation.”
According to reports from other media agencies, Beasley also faces a number of lawsuits over alleged owed monies – including writs submitted by his former agent, landlord, dentist and even his hairdresser.
The Detroit News, which covers the Pistons team from which he has subsequently been released as a free agent, reported that he currently found himself with debts to the tune of $8 million (£5.8 million).
It has been suggested that the Pistons were ready to offer Beasley a new contract, however news of the federal investigation has forced the franchise into a rethink.
According to reports, the free agent has previously pledged his earnings to a Florida loan shark, and has been sued for a combined £50,000 by former landlords, dentists and barbers.
Beasley’s solicitor commented:
“I’m his lawyer. I don’t get involved in his finances. You hope to get them around the best business people and planners and management people. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t.”
Suspicious Activity
Running simultaneously to the Beasley investigation will be that of Luis Ortiz.
The Cleveland Guardians pitcher has come under scrutiny over suspicious betting patterns related to the ‘first pitch’ betting market for two games: a June 15 clash with the Seattle Mariners and the June 27 date with the St Louis Cardinals.
A betting integrity firm in the United States, IC360, reported to the MLB a flurry of bets – unusual in both volume and size – relating to Ortiz’s first pitches of selected innings. The wagers are believed to have been placed on the pitches either being classed as a ball or hitting the batsmen.
A re-watch of those pitches confirms that Ortiz delivered a pair of sliders that were considerably wide of the strike zone.
Although not all sportsbooks offer these ‘micro’ bets, some do – including firms in the Guardians’ home state of Ohio, as well as in New York and New Jersey where some of the suspicious bets were placed.
The 26-year-old has been placed on ‘non disciplinary leave’ by Major League Baseball while they and their integrity partners investigate further. The speed of the inquiry meant that Ortiz was forced to stand down just hours before the Guardian’s contest with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
The Cleveland franchise’s president, Chris Antonetti, commented:
“We learned very little last night but knew we needed to get someone here today to start today’s game, and that really was our focus.
“Our focus is we’ll let the investigative process play out. To the extent Major League Baseball or anyone needs our support in that, we will obviously cooperate. But beyond that, there’s really not much we can do.”
In 2024, Tucupita Marcano was banned for life by the MLB after placing a staggering 400 bets on baseball games, while former umpire Pat Hoberg was fired after it was revealed that he had shared a betting account with an unknown individual.