Michael Porter Jr., the NBA star and University of Missouri alum who was recently traded to the Brooklyn Nets, has publicly articulated those concerns. He argues that the presence of sports betting threatens the integrity and enjoyment of professional basketball. Speaking recently on the “One Night with Steiny” podcast, he lamented the fact that the rapid expansion of gambling on sports is starting to leave a stain on what makes sport special. This tone was exacerbated by recent events surrounding his brother, Jontay Porter.
In July 2024, Jontay Porter admitted in court to removing himself from two games during the 2023-24 season to benefit associates betting on the under for his performance statistics. Because of his role in a gambling racket, Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA. In an interview on my podcast, Michael Porter Jr. got real about his brother’s journey. He reiterated that athletes from lower socio-economic backgrounds have greater obstacles to overcome when attempting to avoid the lures of sports betting.
As Michael Porter Jr. recently articulated, that’s what is so troubling about where pro sports have landed. The joy of the game is not about the game anymore,” he explained, emphasizing how sports gambling has turned the celebration of athletic achievement into wholly seeking economic profit. He elaborated, “It’s the hell that people can profit. The truth is, far more people are doing the opposite – that is, losing money as opposed to making – in reality.
Michael Porter Jr. shared his apprehensions about the potential dangers athletes face due to gambling, noting that players often find themselves in a no-win situation with bettors. He shared that after a gambling project opens, gamblers often complain, occasionally leading to violent acts. “Players receive death threats from gamblers who are unhappy with the outcome of their bets,” he revealed.
In addition, he imagined a future in which athletes faced actual bodily harm from angry gamblers. “What would happen if an unhinged gambler physically attacked an athlete?” he questioned, illustrating the dire consequences that could arise from the intertwining of sports and gambling.
The PGA player’s idea that all sports betting should be limited to in-person only is equally naive and counterproductive. He proposes that Las Vegas is the perfect place to do just that. He highlighted the ethical dilemma faced by players when tempted to manipulate their performance for financial gain, saying, “Think about it, if you could get all your homies rich by telling them, ‘Yo, bet $10,000 on my under this one game… That is so not OK, but some people probably think like that.”
Michael Porter Jr.’s commentary should be taken in context of his long experience as a journalist covering the gambling industry since 2008. He reflects on the advantages of his upbringing. Nevertheless, he argues, make no mistake that his concern is for the purity of basketball—not his career.
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