Arbitrator Orders NBA to Pay Rozier $26.6M Salary

An arbitrator ruled in favor of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on Monday, ordering the NBA to release his full $26.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season, which the league had withheld following his arrest in a federal gambling investigation.

Rozier, 31, was placed on unpaid leave by the NBA on October 29, 2025, six days after federal authorities arrested him on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from an alleged illegal sports betting scheme dating back to his time with the Charlotte Hornets. Prosecutors claim Rozier faked an injury during a March 2023 game to ensure prop bets on his underperformance would succeed, allowing associates to wager over $200,000. He pleaded not guilty in December 2025 during an arraignment in Brooklyn federal court and was released on $3 million bond secured by his South Florida home. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in the probe.

The National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance on Rozier's behalf, arguing that the NBA violated the collective bargaining agreement by withholding his pay. The agreement permits unpaid leave only for players...