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Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Bribery in Pro and College Basketball Betting Cases
Marves Fairley admitted to obtaining nonpublic information for NBA bets and recruiting college players to underperform. Federal prosecutors recommended eight to ten years in prison.
May 28, 6:40 PM·1m read1 source
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Marves Fairley, 40, pleaded guilty Thursday in Brooklyn federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a case involving NBA games. Fairley admitted obtaining nonpublic information from NBA players and coaches and using it to place bets.
He said he paid a player to alter performance and placed wagers himself and on behalf of at least one professional player. Prosecutors said the information included details about former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s deliberate underperformance in a 2023 game and the medical status of Los Angeles Lakers players LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In a separate case filed in Pennsylvania, Fairley pleaded guilty to five counts including sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud for recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform. The federal government recommended eight to ten years in prison, citing his role as a leader in the schemes and the profits from the illegal activity.
Sentencing is scheduled for February. Fairley declined to comment after the hearing. Prosecutors are expected to file new charges against Rozier, who has maintained his innocence.
