New allegations claim the veteran guard accepted a $100,000 bribe to faking an injury, intensifying a legal firestorm over illicit gambling and manipulated on-court performances.
Miami, FL. – Following the 2025-26 season, Terry Rozier’s contract was officially taken off the Miami Heat’s financial books. The 32-year-old guard didn’t play a single game this past season, being away from the league, due to alleged involvement in an illegal sports betting scandal. Rozier placed bets on his own over-and-unders, tampering with his own performance.
The case revolves around a March 23, 2022, regular-season matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, when the Ohio native was with the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier played just 10 first-quarter minutes, finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He wouldn’t appear for the rest of the game because of a supposed foot injury. However, new accusations come to light.
It was reported on Friday that Rozier’s indictment was updated and alleged that he accepted a $100,000 bribe to pull himself from the game against the Pelicans.
“Towards the end of the season, ROZIER suffered a lower leg injury and, although he continued to play with the injury, planned to use the injury as a basis to withdraw early during an upcoming game,” the document says.
According to the indictment, Rozier’s originally $100,000 bribe was reduced to $70,000 after going over with four rebounds, instead of under. Attorney Jim Trusty, who is representing the former Hornet, described the new charge as “misplaced hopes.”
In October, Rozier pleaded not guilty to two federal charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He will return to court in the upcoming fall.
The Heat acquired the veteran guard in a midseason trade on Jan. 23, 2024. In exchange for Kyle Lowry, who was later bought out, and a 2027 first-round pick, the Hornets shipped Rozier to South Florida. He wound up missing the final four games of the 2023-24 regular season, including the entire first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, eliminated after five games.
However, in Rozier’s first full season with the Heat, the worst-case scenario came to light. He went on to average 10.6 points on 39.1 percent shooting, 29.5 percent from behind the arc, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 64 games. The numbers reflect career lows.
In the Heat’s Media Day, Rozier mentioned wanting to have a bounce-back year, but instead, he was arrested before stepping on the court. Despite the situation, the organization was never made aware of the bets before the trade, didn’t receive cap compensation, and received only a second-round pick in the upcoming draft for all the troubles.
Rozier is officially no longer a member of the Heat, but there is no doubt that the franchise was poorly mistreated.
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