Summary
U.S. prosecutors have charged 26 people in a scheme involving bribery of university basketball players to influence or fix games. The scheme affected 39 players and involved 17 university teams from the NCAA, as well as two games in the Chinese Basketball Association. Prosecutors say the players were paid bribes to perform poorly, allowing bettors to profit.
Key Facts
- 26 people are charged with involvement in a basketball bribery scheme.
- The scheme allegedly involved 39 players and 17 NCAA men's basketball teams.
- It aimed to fix 29 college games and 2 Chinese Basketball Association games.
- From September 2022 to February 2025, players were paid to underperform, leading to winning bets against their teams.
- Bribes ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
- Despite the scheme, sometimes the desired game outcome was not guaranteed.
- The NCAA is investigating almost all teams named in the indictment.
- Schools implicated are cooperating with authorities, with some noting connections due to games against charged teams.
