Ex-Mobster Blames NBA’s Growing Partnerships W/ Gambling Platforms For Arrests

Former Mafia captain Michael Franzese — who as soon as ran his personal crew with the Colombo crime household — says the NBA ought to blame itself for Thursday’s stunning Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones arrests.

The ex-mobster defined to Harvey and Charles on “TMZ Live” that the league’s rising relationships with varied playing platforms has invited every kind of hassle for its staff.

Franzese advised the blokes that by partnering with the betting websites, they’ve despatched a “Hey, it’s OK, you can gamble” message to gamers and coaches all through the league.

“The more access you have to gambling, the more people are going to get involved in it,” he mentioned. “And the more people are going to get in trouble. There’s no question about it.”

“You can’t give people access like that.”

According to Franzese, professional athletes and “even college athletes” use playing as “an extension of their competitive nature,” and when their respective leagues seem to log out on wide-range wagering by teaming up with betting boards, it opens the door for complications.

In truth, Franzese — who gave up the mob life following his stint in prison in 1994 — mentioned he wasn’t shocked in any respect to see the feds announce the bombshell allegations in opposition to the NBAers this week.

“This happens all the time,” he mentioned. “It hasn’t changed over the past 30 years.”

Billups has been accused of serving to a number of Mafia households make money off of rigged poker video games. Rozier, in the meantime, is alleged to have influenced prop bets by pulling himself from a 2023 recreation with a pretend harm.