Home · Sports · Oct 27 archive
Malik Beasley to Plead Guilty in NBA Betting Case
· Confirmed
In Short: Former NBA player Malik Beasley is set to plead guilty on December 9, 2026, in a federal bribery and sports betting case.
Former NBA player Malik Beasley is expected to plead guilty on December 9, 2026, in a federal bribery and sports betting case involving allegations that he deliberately manipulated his performances to benefit gamblers while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-2024 season.
According to the Department of Justice, Beasley is accused of agreeing to intentionally score or rebound above or below expected statistical totals, allowing associates to place informed wagers on individual player performances.
The indictment alleges that Beasley worked out the scheme alongside former NBA player Ed Davis and four other named co-conspirators as part of an effort to pay off millions of dollars in gambling debts.
Prosecutors claim that Beasley had accumulated 'multimillion-dollar gambling losses' despite earning tens of millions of dollars throughout his NBA career.
Investigators allege that Beasley's scheme fell apart when he went over his rebounding prop in a March 21 game against the Brooklyn Nets, causing the co-defendants to demand Davis refund their money.
Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, confirmed that the 29-year-old is negotiating a potential deal with the Department of Justice.
The development marks a major reversal for Beasley, who initially pleaded not guilty to four federal charges in July.
The fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges each carry maximum potential sentences of 20 years in federal prison, while the sports bribery charge carries up to five years.
Just a year and a half ago, Beasley, while playing for the Detroit Pistons, finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year race and was closing in on a $42 million contract.
Beasley's case has sent shockwaves through the sports world, with social media erupting over reports that he is actively talking to federal prosecutors.
The NBA has stated that the integrity of the game is its top priority following the indictment.
A 2025 lawsuit from a sports marketing agency resulted in a $1 million default judgment against Beasley.
What this adds
The indictment alleges that Beasley had accumulated 'multimillion-dollar gambling losses' despite earning tens of millions of dollars throughout his NBA career.
Just a year and a half ago, Malik Beasley, while playing for the Detroit Pistons, finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year race and was closing in on a $42 million contract.
Background
Former NBA player Malik Beasley is expected to plead guilty on December 9, 2026, in a federal bribery and sports betting case involving allegations that he deliberately manipulated his performances to benefit gamblers.
What's confirmed
- Malik Beasley to Plead Guilty December 9 in NBA Betting Case That Cost Him $42M Deal Malik Beasley is expected to plead guilty on December 9, 2026, in a federal bribery and sports betting case involving allegations that he deliberately manipulated his NBA performances to benefit gamblers.
- The development marks a major reversal for the 29-year-old, who initially pleaded not guilty to four federal charges in July.
- According to the Department of Justice, the alleged scheme centered on Beasley’s performances during the 2023–24 NBA season while he played for Milwaukee.
- The fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges each carry maximum potential sentences of 20 years in federal prison, while the sports bribery charge carries up to five years.
- Prosecutors accused him of agreeing to intentionally score or rebound above or below expected statistical totals, allowing associates to place informed wagers on individual player performances.
- No sentence has been announced, and a planned guilty plea does not establish the outcome of every allegation in the indictment.
- These wagers, commonly called player prop bets, allow gamblers to predict specific statistics rather than the final outcome of a game.
- Steve Haney, a lawyer for Beasley, told Vorkunov that the former NBA sharpshooter has not yet decided if he will plead guilty.
- By Dana Gauruder | at October 27, 2026 2:39 pm October 27 : Beasley has agreed to plead guilty to federal changes stemming from the Department of Justice’s investigation into illegal sports gambling, Vorkunov reports ( Twitter link ).
- The agreement follows reports that Beasley’s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors over allegations that he manipulated his performance while playing for the Bucks during the 2023-24 season.
- In an October 23 order, Brooklyn federal Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall referred Beasley’s anticipated change of plea to Magistrate Judge Taryn A.
- Former NBA player Malik Beasley has agreed to plead guilty to gambling charges, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
What's still developing
- Prosecutors were able to obtain text messages from the other defendants celebrating when Beasley shoved a teammate out of the way to go over his rebounding prop with 1.1 seconds left in a March 10 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
- On Friday (October 23), the judge overseeing the case requested that a federal magistrate in Brooklyn schedule a hearing for the former Milwaukee Bucks guard.
- Beasley, 29, is one of six defendants in the case, which alleges he coordinated with sports bettors to manipulate his statistics in at least four NBA games during the 2023-24 season.
- Beasley had a stellar 2024/25 season, appearing in all 82 games and averaging 16.3 points while finishing second in the Sixth Man Award voting.
- His actual sentencing exposure will depend on his plea agreement, the charges involved, and the court’s determination.
- According to the indictment, Beasley was promised financial benefits in exchange for altering his performances.
- "We are aware of the recent report regarding Malik Beasley and will be monitoring the proceeding," an NBA spokesperson said.