The FBI arrested multiple people tied to the NBA in a wide-ranging illegal gambling probe. The NBA and other major sports leagues have been deepening ties with the lucrative sports-betting industry.

Washington Post sports columnist Kevin Blackistone explains the implications of this scandal on the NBA and sports betting in general.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Michael Levitt and Daniel Ofman. Additional reporting in this episode from Becky Sullivan.

It was edited by Russell Lewis, Justine Kenin and our executive producer Sami Yenigun.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Michael Levitt and Daniel Ofman. Additional reporting in this episode from Becky Sullivan.

Was this NBA betting scandal inevitable?