LeBron James talks business manager gambling on NBA: 'Maverick [Carter]'s his own man'
LeBron James isn’t showing much concern over a report that his childhood friend and longtime business manager Maverick Carter was illegally wagering on NBA games.
The Washington Post on Thursday, citing federal law enforcement records, detailed Carter’s connection to Wayne Nix, a former professional baseball player who pleaded guilty in 2022 to charges related to illegal gambling. Carter reportedly placed thousands of dollars worth of bets on the NBA through the illegal channel, though it is unknown if any of those wagers included LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers.
James talked to reporters about the news following Thursday’s loss to Oklahoma City.
LeBron James said he wasn’t aware of Maverick Carter, his longtime friend and business partner, telling federal agents that he placed NBA bets with an illegal bookie in 2021, as @washingtonpost reported. James said he found out in the last 24 hours.
Here’s James’ response to if… pic.twitter.com/ZZwnswZGdq
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 1, 2023
The NBA prohibits players, team and league officials from gambling on the NBA. The National Basketball Players Association prohibits league agents from gambling as well, however there is no rule banning the business managers of league players from wagering on the NBA.