It’s been ruled that Terry Rozier violated his NBA contract over his alleged role in a sports gambling scheme during his time in the league, forcing him to forfeit most of his $26.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season (an arbitrator ruled, which was revealed in a court filing recently).
The ruling reversed an earlier decision in Rozier’s favor as he continues to face federal charges and fights to revive his playing career (as The Athletic relays).
More details:
- The NBA placed Rozier on unpaid administrative leave in October, days after he was arrested while with the Miami Heat. He and the players’ association filed a grievance, and the arbitrator initially ruled he should still be paid.
- The league returned this spring, arguing that Rozier’s bond conditions — barring cross-country travel and contact with the Heat and Hornets — prevented him from fulfilling his contract. This time the arbitrator sided with the NBA.
- Prosecutors first indicted Rozier in October on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, alleging he told a friend he’d leave a March 2023 Hornets game early, information the friend then allegedly sold to gamblers.
- A second indictment last month added two felony charges, including sports bribery, alleging he took a $100,000 payment to exit the game early so gamblers could win prop bets. Rozier has pleaded not guilty and denied the claims.
- His attorney has asked the judge to ease his release conditions, calling them “unfairly punitive” with free agency opening June 30. The Heat were removed from his no-contact list after releasing him in April, but the Hornets remain.
- Rozier didn’t play at all in 2025-26 and is now a free agent. He is scheduled to return to a Brooklyn federal court June 10.
