News broke early Wednesday morning of high-profile arrests related to insider sports betting and rigged poker games with mafia ties — something that sounds more like a Martin Scorsese movie than a headline. And according to ESPN sports journalist Stephen A. Smith, it’s all the revenge of Donald Trump against the NBA.
Among the more than 30 people arrested by the FBI were Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA guard and coach Damon Jones. They are expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Stephen A. Smith discussing the NBA betting scandal – YouTube, Stephen A. Smith
READ: Simu Liu Meltdown at Vince Dao Over Rice Turns Into a Career Reality Check for Marvel Star
According to the Department of Justice, the investigation began four years ago, while Trump was out of office. But Smith sees a connection between the arrests and current events.
“Just the Tip of the Iceberg”
Shortly after FBI Director Kash Patel held a press conference announcing the arrests, Smith took to the air on ESPN’s morning sports talk show First Take to make his face that the NBA arrests came from Trump himself.
“We know what world I live in in terms of politics,” he said. “How many times for one incident after another have I said Trump is coming? He’s coming. I’m going to say it on national television again.”
Stephen A. Smith warns that President Trump could be coming for the WNBA next, after targeting the NFL over Bad Bunny and the NBA over gambling.
“Trump is coming. He’s coming.”
(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @awfulannouncing )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 23, 2025
Smith elaborated: “Because when you’ve got all of these protests that have been going out there and people that have been protesting against him and what have you, this man is coming.”
U.S. President Donald Trump sits for an interview with ABC News – YouTube, ABC News
READ: Jesus Officially Being Recast for Mel Gibson Passion of the Christ Sequel
“This ain’t the platform for me to get into it the way I’m going to get into it. But I’ve been saying he’s coming. He’s coming because in his eyes, folks try to throw him in jail. In his eyes, he’s innocent.”
Smith suggested that by prosecuting athletes, Trump is signaling to anyone who wanted him behind bars that no one is beyond his reach.
“We don’t know where this is going to go, but this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Smith said, after warning that the WNBA and NFL could be next. “Everybody better brace themselves because he’s coming.”
While a morning sports talk show may not have been the ideal platform for Smith to voice his concerns, some of the higher-ups at Disney, ESPN’s parent company, may be thankful the situation isn’t far worse.
Not a Jimmy Kimmel Repeat
Because ESPN is a cable network and not on broadcast TV, it’s not held to the same FCC standards that recently put Jimmy Kimmel Live! under scrutiny for the host’s false remarks. Also, because Smith didn’t say anything definitive, he’s likely safe from any legal repercussions. Though it’s important to note that in Kimmel’s case it was pressure from the audience and advertisers which temporarily pushed him off the air. Smith may not be immune from the same response.
A screenshot of Jimmy Kimmel crying on TV after the election of Donald Trump – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
READ: Netflix Caves: Stranger Things Finale to Receive Theatrical Release in Over 350 Theaters
Yet it’s another embarrassment for Disney, which has frequently found itself in trouble with the Trump administration. ABC’s The View (also owned by Disney) read four legal notes in a single November 2024 episode to avoid any lawsuits from remarks they made about Trump’s cabinet nominees. In December 2024, the company paid $15 million and covered $1 million in legal fees for verifiably false statements about Trump made by George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’ This Week.
Sunny Hostin issuing a legal notice on The View – YouTube, Page Six
If Disney’s goal was to avoid drawing any more attention from the current administration, Smith’s comments had the opposite effect.
Patel Fires Back – Smith Reacts
Thursday evening FBI director Kash Patel appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle and briefly addressed Smith’s remarks.
“That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history. And I live most of my time in Washington, D.C.,” Patel said, dismissing the idea that anyone else decides which arrests to conduct.
🚨 BREAKING: FBI Director Kash Patel FIRES BACK at Stephen A. Smith claiming the NBA gambling bust was “REVENGE” from President Trump for the NBA’s left-wing activism
“That may be the single DUMBST thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history. And I live most of my time… pic.twitter.com/RUe8TwNJaK
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 23, 2025
A short time later, Smith took to X, sharing the clip from Fox News and clarifying his stance.
“Nothing to get ahead of here, people! I never denied or failed to mention that this FBI Investigation has been going on for years,” Smith wrote, adding, “In no way am I attempting to even have an opinion on the legitimacy of this matter. I don’t know the facts of the case. I’m just saying don’t expect POTUS to spare anyone on this matter. And I stand by that. That’s all!”
Stephen A. Smith discussing comments made by FBI director Kash Patel – YouTube, Stephen A. Smith
Sports fans will likely find the behind-the-scenes drama of coaches and players allegedly funneling illicit money through La Cosa Nostra interesting. Smith’s attempt to make the story about Trump could shape it into a gripping political thriller, or a dull rerun they’ve seen too many times before.
What do you think? Is Stephen A. Smith sounding the alarm about Trump and the NBA, or is he trying to make something out of nothing? Let us know in the comments!
UP NEXT: Rotten Tomatoes’ Ownership Shake-Up Raises Privacy Concerns — and Opens the Door for Criticless
