Published on: January 22, 2026, 10:02h.
Updated on: January 22, 2026, 10:02h.
- McCormack sentenced as part of expanding NBA insider-betting conspiracy.
- Federal authorities allege that Porter’s exits were leaked in advance, impacting prop-bet unders.
- Rozier denies accusations; Porter has entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing.
A New York man, aged 38, has been sentenced to two years in prison due to his involvement in a significant gambling conspiracy where NBA players provided insiders with confidential data.
Timothy McCormack is the inaugural defendant facing sentencing in this case, which prosecutors assert involves former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who has been permanently banned from the NBA, along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who asserts his innocence.
McCormack was charged in June 2024 as part of a broader indictment that named several individuals, including multiple NBA personalities like Rozier and Chauncey Billups, in association with related gambling charges.
Gambling Issues
McCormack acknowledged that he placed bets based on insider knowledge that Porter—and, in another instance as per prosecutors, Rozier at that time with the Charlotte Hornets—would exit games early. This advanced notice made specific “under” prop bets highly probable. He pled guilty last year to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Although prosecutors noted that McCormack was “not as culpable as some of his co-conspirators,” he still played a significant role in what was described as “cold, hard fraud,” according to prosecutor David Berman during sentencing.
Despite the prosecutors recommending a four-year sentence, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall imposed a lesser sentence, acknowledging McCormack’s admission of his actions being influenced by a long-standing gambling addiction.
“He has an addiction,” Judge DeArcy Hall remarked, as reported by Reuters. “I do not believe the behavior Mr. McCormack engaged in defines his entire character.”
However, she emphasized that the fraudulent scheme had compromised the integrity of professional sports.
“This is undoubtedly a serious offense,” she stated. “Sports are of great significance to me personally, and they should be to society as a whole.”
Questionable Betting Activities
Prosecutors indicated that McCormack and his accomplices placed “under” prop bets on Porter during a January 26 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers and a March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings, both resulting in losses for the Raptors. Court documents allege that Porter informed the group beforehand that he would leave each game early, citing injury.
The betting syndicate stood to gain $1,272,875 via DraftKings and FanDuel, although most of these funds were frozen after the betting operators flagged suspicious activity.
Porter has pled guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in 2024 and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Additionally, prosecutors contend that prior to a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier disclosed to a close associate his intention to leave the game early due to an injury. This information was not public at the time and was reportedly communicated to bettors before betting lines adjusted.
Rozier entered a not guilty plea on December 8, 2025, concerning federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. His case is still pending.