NBA player Malik Beasley to plead guilty in gambling scandal

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 15:06 · Archive

NBA player Malik Beasley will plead guilty on 9 December to federal charges of manipulating his performance in games to benefit gamblers.

NBA guard Malik Beasley, 29, has agreed to plead guilty on 9 December to federal charges related to a sweeping gambling scandal that has led to more than three dozen arrests of prominent figures. Beasley initially entered a not guilty plea in July in New York federal court but has since reversed course and negotiated a plea agreement with the Department of Justice. His attorney confirmed the decision to multiple outlets.

According to the indictment unsealed this summer, Beasley is accused of manipulating his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York alleges he altered his statistics in certain categories, either underperforming or overperforming bookmakers' expectations, to benefit sports bettors and ease his own financial difficulties.

Beasley had accumulated millions of dollars in gambling losses and borrowed money from former NBA teammate Ed Davis. In exchange for manipulating his play, the indictment states, the bettors reduced or eliminated his debts to Davis. Beasley has faced various financial disputes including lawsuits from a Detroit landlord, Milwaukee barber, Minnesota dentist, and a sports marketing agency which obtained a $1 million default judgment against him.

Beasley, along with sports agent Paolo Zamorano and others, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The plea hearing is scheduled for 9 December in Brooklyn.

Beasley has been out of the NBA since the 2024-25 season, when he played for the Detroit Pistons on a one-year, $6 million contract, averaging 16.3 points per game. His career earnings total just under $60 million. The case is part of a broader federal investigation into illegal sports gambling that has ensnared multiple NBA figures.

How it is being reported

• Malik Beasley agrees to plead guilty for role in gambling scandal in about-faceVeteran NBA guard Malik Beasley has reversed course and agreed to plead guilty to federal charges after being indicted for fixing performances in a sports betting scheme.New York Post · 28 Oct, 14:50
• Former NBA guard Malik Beasley to plead guilty in U.S. betting caseThe U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York alleges that Beasley manipulated his statistics in certain categories in at least four games to benefit gamblers.The Japan Times · 28 Oct, 04:11
• Malik Beasley to plead guilty in NBA gambling scandal involving wire fraud and sports briberyMalik Beasley will plead guilty Dec. 9 in the sweeping NBA gambling scandal that has led to more than three dozen arrests of prominent figures.Fox News · 27 Oct, 21:08

In this story: Malik Beasley · Ed Davis · Paolo Zamorano · Milwaukee Bucks · Detroit Pistons · Eastern District of New York

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