Pryor Cashman Partner Katherine Reilly, a member of the firm’s White Collar + Regulatory Enforcement Group, appeared on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast to discuss the recent federal indictments involving multiple NBA figures. These indictments focus on alleged illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to organized crime.

Kate, a former federal prosecutor and Chief of the Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, breaks down the two separate indictments: one involving NBA players allegedly participating in rigged poker games linked to the Mafia, and the other related to alleged sports betting fraud, where players and coaches are accused of using insider information to defraud sportsbooks.

She noted that while the poker case follows a traditional organized crime model, the sports betting case is more complex. "I think that's a pretty aggressive use of the wire fraud statute, and I expect we will see [a motion filed] by the defense lawyers, once they are in the case, challenging the legal validity of that theory," Kate said, referring to the sports betting charges.

Kate also provided insight into aspects of both cases including the differences between how law enforcement and the NBA are able to handle investigations. "Law enforcement can compel evidence through subpoenas, search warrants, and wiretaps, which the NBA simply cannot," she said, pointing out that this gives the FBI a significant advantage in uncovering the full scope of the cases.

Listen to the podcast, or read the full interview, using the links below.

[The Hoop Collective] Expert Lawyer Explains NBA Gambling Scandal: 10/29/25

[YouTube] Expert Lawyer Explains NBA Gambling Scandal | The Hoop Collective

[ESPN] NBA gambling investigations: How strong are cases against Billups, Rozier?