Prosecutors Come Out ‘Pun-ching’ Against Sports Stars in Betting Scandals

On the back of the NBA and UFC betting scandals, two MLB players have now been indicted, and prosecutors continue to revel in revealing the downfall of professional athletes.

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have both been accused of accepting bribes to deliberately throw pitches that satisfy micro betting markets. The majority of pitches identified by prosecutors involved players throwing balls in games between 2023 and 2025.

When announcing the charges, prosecutors, who are seldom in the spotlight, have basked in their 15 minutes of fame as they tarnish the reputations of the athletes.

Christopher Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York field office came up with one for the MLB players. In the press release, he concluded his statement with a zinger: “The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.“

NBA Scandal Provides Ample Fodder

US Attorney Joseph Nocella has been at the forefront of both the MLB and NBA indictments. Unlike Raia, he seemed to draw a blank with baseball puns. But he had used up a few good lines on the NBA scandal a few weeks ago.

In the statement announcing the arrest of Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones, among Mafia family members, Nocella had clearly prepared some lines. Just after saying those indicted were innocent until proven guilty, he cleared his breath to declare, “Your winning streak has ended. Your luck has run out. Violating the law is a losing proposition, and you can bet on that.”

The investigation was named “Nothing But Bet,” so investigators had obviously been thinking up some puns for a while. He concluded his starring role by stating, “Today’s indictment and arrests sound the final buzzer for these cheaters.”

Others got in on the act. FBI Director Kash Patel made no secret of the fact that they were having a good time. He noted, “The investigative work that culminated with this morning’s operation are reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.” He was probably wondering who he would cast as himself at that point in between mentions of La Cosa Nostra and famous sports stars.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch might fancy a starring role in the movie as well. She can certainly work with a script. Her line was, “Thanks to the incredible work of the NYPD detectives and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this illegal sports betting operation has been benched for good.“

She clearly liked that line, because she delivered a similar one later. When speaking of Terry Rozier she said, “As the NBA season tips off, his career is already benched. Not for injury, but for integrity.”

You can almost hear the sound of the mic dropping.

Tip of the Iceberg?

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said the drama must be a sign that there’s more to come in the scandals. He stated, “We’ve seen accusations before. We’ve seen athletes get in trouble with the law before. You don’t see the director of the FBI having a press conference. It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement, and it’s a warning that more is coming.”

He went on to say that all the bright lights and bravado in the statements could be a sign that President Donald Trump, no stranger to the spotlight, is behind it all. He stated, “In the end, you have a President in place that has a lengthy connection to the sports world, rife with friends and enemies. And those who are his enemies, he doesn’t mind inconveniencing one bit.”

Then he sounded a warning that more revelations were to come. He added, “This is just the tip of the iceberg … It’s very concerning. We don’t know where this is gonna go. But everybody better brace themselves, because he’s coming.”

Since those comments, the MLB indictments have come, UFC fighter Isaac Dulgarian is being investigated by the FBI, and six NCAA players have also been sanctioned.

As the sports betting scandals show no signs of abating, law enforcement may be relishing the chance to enjoy a little more of the spotlight.