Three NBA players and coaches were among more than 30 individuals indicted Thursday in a sweeping federal probe into organized crime and illegal gambling — but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith managed to turn the story into an attack on former President Donald Trump.
Federal prosecutors announced that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones were among those arrested as part of “Operation Nothing But Net,” an investigation uncovering insider sports betting and a poker-rigging scheme allegedly tied to the Italian mafia.
According to officials, the investigation has spanned nearly a dozen states and has been ongoing for four years — meaning it began under President Joe Biden, as The New York Times confirmed.
Despite that timeline, Smith used his ESPN platform to suggest an entirely different narrative. Speaking on “First Take,” he claimed the FBI’s press conference outlining the charges was actually part of a Trump-led “revenge” campaign.
“Remember, Trump has a long, long history connected to the world of sports because he had those casinos,” Smith said. “Where do you think folks were coming half the time? I’m not talking about individuals — I’m talking about the culture.”
Smith’s remarks drew immediate criticism, with many noting that the investigation’s origins under Biden’s administration directly contradict his claim. Nonetheless, the segment served as yet another example of how political speculation has crept into sports commentary — even in the face of serious federal charges and a multi-year criminal probe.
“Trump is coming. He’s coming…Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what’s going on today…this is just the tip of the iceberg” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/gngy9qbPIG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2025
“Don’t be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list,” Smith warned. “This man is coming. He’s coming.”
Smith went on to claim that FBI Director Kash Patel’s appearance at the press conference was not routine but rather a direct message from former President Trump himself. “It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement — and it’s a warning that more is coming,” he said.
The problem with Smith’s theory, however, is that the FBI investigation began four years ago, making it impossible for Trump to have ordered the arrests. Patel’s presence was entirely appropriate given the scale and seriousness of the case. With mafia connections, tens of millions in alleged fraud, and professional athletes implicated, it was precisely the kind of operation that warranted the bureau’s top official taking part.
Rather than focusing on the disturbing allegations that NBA figures may have collaborated with organized crime, Smith instead used his platform to launch yet another baseless attack on Trump — and ESPN allowed it to air unchecked.
It’s one thing to oppose Trump politically; it’s something else entirely to accuse him falsely of weaponizing federal law enforcement to exact revenge on professional athletes.