Report: NBA’s Beasley Had Financial Issues; MLB Investigating Pitcher for Gambling
Posted on: July 3, 2025, 12:56h.
Last updated on: July 3, 2025, 12:56h.
- Beasley under federal probe for gambling allegations
- New media reports detail financial challenges
- MLB pitcher Ortiz on leave while being investigated for gambling allegations
NBA free agent Malik Beasley, under investigation in a federal gambling probe, was dealing with financial issues, struggling to pay back an advance from a marketing company, according to ESPN reporting.
Federal Probe
Beasley was advanced $650,000 by the company, Hazan Sports Management Group, which filed a lawsuit for breach of contract against Beasley last April claiming he had only paid them back in smaller installments, along with “vague” promises to pay the loan back over time.
Meanwhile, Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney’s office over gambling allegations ties to NBA games. Beasley’s lawyer told Associated Press there have been no charges at this point.
3-Year Deal for $42M Delayed
According to ESPN reporting, Hazan asked the court for an extension of the suit to work out a settlement, tied to Beasley’s free agent status.
The gambling investigation has to do with league games and prop betting during the 2023-24 season when Beasley played with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last season he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Pistons and had a big year – finishing the season averaging 16.3 points per game, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists, and was looking to cash in on a multi-year deal.
Shams Charania of ESPN wrote that those contracts talks revolved around a three-year, USD $42 million deal, but talks are now on pause.
Guardians’ Ortiz Under Investigation
Meanwhile on the MLB front, Cleveland Guardians’ pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave as he is being investigated by MLB over gambling allegations, according to multiple media reports.
The Guardians issued a statement on X: “The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
Ortiz, 26, was 4-9 on the season for the Guardians, with a 4.36 ERA and 1.376 WHIP.
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