November 4, 2025 • 5 mins
Dan Riley examines the NBA’s betting scandal and why some athletes still ignore FBI warnings about risky associations that can destroy their careers and reputations.
In this week’s episode of Dan Riley Sports Talk, Dan addresses the NBA betting scandal and the recurring pattern of athletes ignoring long-standing FBI warnings about dangerous associations. Law enforcement has repeatedly cautioned players to avoid relationships that could compromise their integrity or open the door to criminal influence — yet some continue to cross the line. This scandal highlights how easily trust and integrity can be lost when players underestimate the risks. The FBI provides its guidance for a reason: no friendship or connection is worth the cost of damaging your reputation or the game itself. 🎧 Listen now for Dan’s commentary on gambling in sports — a timely reminder that integrity and accountability define the game we love.
👉 Athletes have every chance to protect themselves — if they’re willing to listen.
📌 Share this episode to raise awareness about integrity and accountability in professional sports.
🎙 From Passionate World Talk Radio Network — where real conversations matter. Stay informed, stay inspired, and help us keep independent voices alive at www.passionateworldtalkradio.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daniel-riley-sports-talk-radio--4211915/support.
🎙 From Passionate World Talk Radio Network — where real conversations matter. Stay inspired and keep listening to Dan Riley Sports Talk at www.passionateworldtalkradio.com.
In this week’s episode of Dan Riley Sports Talk, Dan addresses the NBA betting scandal and the recurring pattern of athletes ignoring long-standing FBI warnings about dangerous associations. Law enforcement has repeatedly cautioned players to avoid relationships that could compromise their integrity or open the door to criminal influence — yet some continue to cross the line. This scandal highlights how easily trust and integrity can be lost when players underestimate the risks. The FBI provides its guidance for a reason: no friendship or connection is worth the cost of damaging your reputation or the game itself. 🎧 Listen now for Dan’s commentary on gambling in sports — a timely reminder that integrity and accountability define the game we love.
👉 Athletes have every chance to protect themselves — if they’re willing to listen.
📌 Share this episode to raise awareness about integrity and accountability in professional sports.
🎙 From Passionate World Talk Radio Network — where real conversations matter. Stay informed, stay inspired, and help us keep independent voices alive at www.passionateworldtalkradio.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daniel-riley-sports-talk-radio--4211915/support.
🎙 From Passionate World Talk Radio Network — where real conversations matter. Stay inspired and keep listening to Dan Riley Sports Talk at www.passionateworldtalkradio.com.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Dan Riley for Sports Talk on Passionate World
Internet Radio. The NBA betting scandal has seen the potential
destruction of Chauncey Billip's reputation and that of the NBA too.
Some will foolishly believe this crisis gives Tim donaghy credibility.
(00:22):
It doesn't. But the crisis is something altogether different inside
info on injuries. It's why the mob would love relationships
with athletes, and it's something leagues and law enforcement have
to do to put a stop to. It. May be
(00:47):
easier to ruin the integrity of sports than we think,
especially the game of basketball, and the truth is gangsters
wouldn't even need to fix games to do it. ESPN's
Michael Fletcher has an article up on espn dot com
right now discussing this very issue. It's troubling, to say
(01:10):
the least. Former gangster Michael Franchise tells Fletcher he bought
a share in a sports agency to get close to athletes.
The reason was obvious inside info in the NFL and NBA.
(01:31):
Every year, the FBI shows up to training camps and
gives players a list of places to avoid. They warn
players not to get involved with these people. The FEDS
warned players, we're watching these gangsters, and we're watching you.
(01:54):
From what I understand, similar things go on at our
nation's colleges days. Clearly Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones didn't listen.
(02:14):
That's an example of sheer stupidity. I've heard stories personally.
I've heard stories not straight from the horse's mouth, but
from ESPN of people involved in the mafia who came
(02:37):
from the same socioeconomic background as athletes, namely during the
Black Sow scandal. You don't think that's dangerous a gangster
having at least one thing in common with an athlete
that might make it easier to strike up a very
(02:59):
dang jurious friendship. For that matter, let's take a look
at the Boston College basketball scandal back in the seventies
and eighties. That's a problem. Relationships with athletes can pay
(03:22):
off for gangsters because they might wind up knowing something
about these guys they can use against them, or find
other ways for that relationship to pay off. The latter
is what happened with Chauncey Billups, and we don't even
(03:44):
have evidence he fixed games. Damon Jones meanwhile, sold inside
information on Lebron James injuries to batters. Apparently it's a
felony in sports, is answered insider trading. Of course, the
mob would want that information to either set a line
(04:04):
or bet on the game, so they would go after
relationships with people close to teams to get it. The
truth is more needs to be done to keep athletes
(04:26):
and coaches away from the wrong people, either by the
FBI or the leagues. I don't care. Something needs to
be done otherwise the leagues will lose all credibility, no
one will want to tune in, and sports will be ruined.
(04:51):
Money would wind up in the hands of the wrong people.
Athletes striking up a friendship with the wrong person can
lead to trouble. This is Dan Riley for Sports Talk.
Thank you so much for tuning in and so long.
This is Dan Riley for Sports Talk on Passionate World
Internet Radio. The NBA betting scandal has seen the potential
destruction of Chauncey Billip's reputation and that of the NBA too.
Some will foolishly believe this crisis gives Tim donaghy credibility.
(00:22):
It doesn't. But the crisis is something altogether different inside
info on injuries. It's why the mob would love relationships
with athletes, and it's something leagues and law enforcement have
to do to put a stop to. It. May be
(00:47):
easier to ruin the integrity of sports than we think,
especially the game of basketball, and the truth is gangsters
wouldn't even need to fix games to do it. ESPN's
Michael Fletcher has an article up on espn dot com
right now discussing this very issue. It's troubling, to say
(01:10):
the least. Former gangster Michael Franchise tells Fletcher he bought
a share in a sports agency to get close to athletes.
The reason was obvious inside info in the NFL and NBA.
(01:31):
Every year, the FBI shows up to training camps and
gives players a list of places to avoid. They warn
players not to get involved with these people. The FEDS
warned players, we're watching these gangsters, and we're watching you.
(01:54):
From what I understand, similar things go on at our
nation's colleges days. Clearly Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones didn't listen.
(02:14):
That's an example of sheer stupidity. I've heard stories personally.
I've heard stories not straight from the horse's mouth, but
from ESPN of people involved in the mafia who came
(02:37):
from the same socioeconomic background as athletes, namely during the
Black Sow scandal. You don't think that's dangerous a gangster
having at least one thing in common with an athlete
that might make it easier to strike up a very
(02:59):
dang jurious friendship. For that matter, let's take a look
at the Boston College basketball scandal back in the seventies
and eighties. That's a problem. Relationships with athletes can pay
(03:22):
off for gangsters because they might wind up knowing something
about these guys they can use against them, or find
other ways for that relationship to pay off. The latter
is what happened with Chauncey Billups, and we don't even
(03:44):
have evidence he fixed games. Damon Jones meanwhile, sold inside
information on Lebron James injuries to batters. Apparently it's a
felony in sports, is answered insider trading. Of course, the
mob would want that information to either set a line
(04:04):
or bet on the game, so they would go after
relationships with people close to teams to get it. The
truth is more needs to be done to keep athletes
(04:26):
and coaches away from the wrong people, either by the
FBI or the leagues. I don't care. Something needs to
be done otherwise the leagues will lose all credibility, no
one will want to tune in, and sports will be ruined.
(04:51):
Money would wind up in the hands of the wrong people.
Athletes striking up a friendship with the wrong person can
lead to trouble. This is Dan Riley for Sports Talk.
Thank you so much for tuning in and so long.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.