Arbitrator Orders NBA to Pay Terry Rozier Full Salary Despite Gambling Charges

By Blessing Nweke

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier must be paid his full $26.6 million salary for the season after an arbitrator ruled that the NBA cannot place him on unpaid leave while his criminal case is pending, according to his attorney.

The decision, which came Monday, overturns the league’s move to sideline Rozier without pay after he was federally indicted in October in an alleged sports gambling conspiracy. Rozier has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

“Terry won under principles of contract law and the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players, but the bigger principle at issue is the presumption of innocence,” Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, said in a statement Tuesday. “The arbitration ruling reminds the NBA that they can’t ignore that important concept just because it’s a high-profile case.”

The Miami Heat declined to comment Tuesday night. The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rozier faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Federal prosecutors allege that while he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets, he faked a foot injury during a March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans to manipulate betting outcomes.

According to the indictment, Rozier told a friend before the game that he planned to “prematurely remove himself from the game in the first quarter” because of a supposed injury and would not return. Prosecutors allege the friend then shared that non-public information with other co-conspirators, who used it to place fraudulent wagers.

Rozier pleaded not guilty in December and has filed a motion to dismiss the charges. A judge has not yet ruled on that request.

The National Basketball Players Association, which filed the grievance challenging Rozier’s unpaid leave, welcomed the arbitrator’s decision.

“We are pleased with the arbitrator’s ruling and remain committed to ensuring Terry’s due process rights are protected and that he is afforded the presumption of innocence throughout this process,” an NBPA spokesperson said.

The ruling allows Rozier to continue receiving his salary as the legal case moves forward, even as questions linger about his future availability in the league.