Two-year prison sentence handed out in first conviction of NBA betting scandal
Timothy McCormack has been handed a two-year sentence for his role in the NBA betting scandal.
In a significant development in the NBA’s ongoing betting scandal, a New York federal court has handed down the first prison sentence connected to the case.
On Wednesday, Timothy McCormack, 38, was ordered to serve two years in federal prison for his involvement in a scheme that used inside information to take advantage of legal sports betting markets.
McCormack’s sentencing, delivered by Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall in Brooklyn, marked the first time a defendant linked to the high-profile case has been imprisoned.
“Rozier let others close to him know that he planned to leave the game early with a supposed Injury. Using that information members of the group played more than $200,000 on his under. Rozier exited the game after just 9 minutes…” 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/KKoutJyRYd
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) October 23, 2025
“I’ve struggled with a gambling addiction for more than half my life”
The government had sought a four-year sentence, asserting that his conduct damaged trust in professional sports. In contrast, the defence had argued for probation, emphasising McCormack’s long struggle with gambling addiction and his early plea of guilty. “I’ve struggled with a gambling addiction for more than half my life,” McCormack said during his sentencing. He also told the judge that his addiction had caused personal hardship.
According to court filings, McCormack used confidential details that he knew would affect the performance of NBA players to place “prop” bets, wagers on specific statistical outcomes of games or individual players, with sportsbooks.
This case forms part of a large federal investigation into gambling corruption tied to the nation’s basketball league: central figures in that probe include former NBA player Jontay Porter and current player Terry Rozier, who both face separate legal consequences.
Porter, who once played for the Toronto Raptors, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in 2024 and has been banned for life from the league. Rozier, who was with the Charlotte Hornets at the time of the alleged misconduct, has denied wrongdoing and is facing trial on wire fraud and money laundering charges. Reports say he is free on $3 million bond and isn’t expected back in court until March.
NYPD COMMISSIONER: "In some instances, players altered their performance or took themselves out of games to make sure that those bets paid out."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 23, 2025
"Terry Rozier, an NBA player now with the Miami Heat, but at the time playing for the Hornets, allegedly let others close to him know… pic.twitter.com/DxsmgCOdGH
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McCormack is scheduled to report to a federal prison on April 20 to begin serving his sentence.
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