The sports world is reeling after a federal investigation into illegal gambling led to the arrest of multiple NBA figures — and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes it may signal something much larger at play.
Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones were among the 34 people arrested in a sweeping FBI probe into alleged underground sports betting and poker operations. The investigation — which federal officials said had ties to organized crime — has rocked the NBA and triggered swift disciplinary action, with both Billups and Rozier placed on immediate leave of absence by the league.
But for Smith, the longtime ESPN analyst known for his fiery commentary, the story isn’t just about gambling — it’s about politics, power, and the looming influence of former President Donald Trump.
On Thursday’s episode of First Take, Smith offered a stark warning, framing the arrests within the context of what he called Trump’s “revenge tour” against institutions — including sports — that have publicly distanced themselves from him in recent years.
“You know what world we’re living in in terms of politics,” Smith said. “How many times with one incident after another? Trump is coming. He’s coming. I’m going to say it on national television again.”
Smith went on to connect Trump’s long history with the sports and gambling industries, referencing his ownership of Atlantic City casinos in the 1980s and his frequent clashes with professional leagues.
“Remember, Trump has a long, long history connected to the world of sports because he had those casinos,” Smith continued. “Where do you think those folks were coming half the time? I’m not talking about the individuals. I’m talking about the culture. Don’t be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list. Because when you’ve got protesters and people in sports who’ve stood against him, this man is coming. He’s coming.”
Smith stopped short of accusing Trump directly of orchestrating the investigation but suggested that the political climate under the former president’s renewed influence could be affecting law enforcement priorities.
“It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement,” Smith said. “And it’s a warning that more is coming, and that’s what they’re saying here. In Trump’s eyes, folks tried to throw him in jail. In his eyes, he’s innocent, and they tried to put him behind bars. ‘I’m getting everybody.’ He’s not playing.”
Smith also said that several sources within professional sports have told him this investigation is “just the tip of the iceberg,” hinting at further revelations that could involve other leagues and high-profile figures.
The timing of the arrests has fueled speculation about political motives, as Trump’s post-presidency influence continues to surge ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His public clashes with sports figures — from NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to NBA stars criticizing his administration — have long made athletics a symbolic battleground in the broader culture wars.
For many, the arrests raise questions not only about integrity in sports betting but also about the intersection of politics, law enforcement, and America’s most popular pastimes.
As Smith put it bluntly, Thursday’s news may be only the beginning.
“Anybody that’s been around him, anybody that has talked to him, anybody that has seen his reactions to the sports leagues and the positions people have taken — they are not surprised at what’s going on today.”
Whether this FBI probe proves to be an isolated scandal or the opening act of a larger political reckoning remains to be seen. But if Stephen A. Smith’s warning is any indication, professional sports may soon find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of Trump’s resurgent campaign for control — both of politics and of America’s cultural institutions.
