NBA player Terry Rozier, currently facing criminal charges related to sports gambling, has also resolved a significant tax issue with the federal government. On October 29, the IRS filed a certificate of release in Broward County, Florida, confirming that Rozier cleared an $8.2 million tax lien originally placed in August 2023.
This release came shortly after ESPN reported on the lien, which followed allegations that Rozier was involved in a gambling scheme betting on his own performance as a Charlotte Hornets player. The federal indictment claims Rozier informed his friend De Niro Laster that he was going to leave a March 23, 2023, game against the New Orleans Pelicans early, allowing Laster and others to place a $200,000 bet that Rozier would perform below average.
At the time, Rozier, who averaged 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game, was ejected less than 10 minutes into the game and only scored five points. Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, stated that Rozier only owes $9,000 of the more than $8 million in taxes, which have already been paid, and they are working with the IRS to clear the liens.
Following Rozier’s arrest on October 23, he, now a Miami Heat player, was immediately suspended from the NBA—a move criticized by the NBA Players Association, which plans to appeal. The government alleges that after the March 23 game, Laster traveled from Philadelphia to Rozier’s Charlotte home, where he calculated significant profits from the scheme. Rozier’s arraignment is set for next month, with his lawyer planning to plead not guilty.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for basketball fans because it highlights the growing challenges of integrity and legality in professional sports. How the league handles Rozier’s case could set a precedent for future gambling-related issues in basketball, with potential long-term impacts on the sport’s credibility.
