Rusty Weiss
Terry Rozier’s once-promising NBA career took another brutal hit this week—this time in the wallet—as an arbitrator ruled he must forfeit the majority of his $26.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season.
The decision, which sided with the Miami Heat, stems from the veteran guard’s ongoing involvement in a wide-ranging federal gambling probe that has rocked the league.
Terry Rozier’s $26.6M Salary Forfeited: The Arbitrator’s Ruling
This reversal follows the arbitrator siding with the Heat after reviewing Rozier’s situation in detail.
Specifically, the neutral party determined that conditions tied to Rozier’s pretrial release — including no-contact orders with the Heat and Charlotte Hornets, plus travel restrictions — made it impossible for him to fulfill his contractual obligations.
This leaves Miami off the hook for the salary and Rozier with a massive financial hole to fill.
Terry Rozier must forfeit most of his $26.6 million salary and faces up to 20 years in prison over his alleged role in a sports gambling scheme. He took a $100k bet so his crew could eat from point shaving.
— SAY CHEESE! (@SaycheeseDGTL) June 5, 2026
The Alleged Bribery and Game-Fixing Scheme
Looking back, Rozier’s legal troubles date to his time with the Hornets. Federal prosecutors allege he accepted a $100,000 bribe related to a March 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The details have previously been laid out here at Sportsnaut: According to court filings, Rozier supposedly tipped off associates about faking an injury, allowing bettors to hammer the unders on his points, rebounds, and assists props. He played just 10 minutes before exiting with what was reported as a foot issue, triggering suspicious betting spikes that caught the attention of sportsbooks across multiple states.
Building on these allegations, prosecutors announced in April plans for superseding charges that include sports bribery and honest services wire fraud. Rozier has pleaded not guilty to the original charges—conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering—and his team says he’ll do the same with the new ones. No surprise there, and it’s important to remember that he is presumed innocent.
Meanwhile, his attorney, Jim Trusty, continues fighting to modify the release conditions. He argues they severely limit Rozier’s ability to land a new NBA deal — especially with the no-contact rule involving his former Hornets organization still in place.
Ironically, athletes often fix games for money, but Rozier has lost $26 million and faces difficulties earning in the NBA again. Not to mention, he is looking at potential prison time.
The Heat waived Rozier earlier this year after he sat out the season on league leave. Once a key scorer, he now faces an uphill battle to restore trust—even if acquitted.
This case is part of a wider FBI investigation that has ensnared players, coaches, and others in alleged point-shaving and insider betting schemes. For Rozier, the personal price is already enormous — millions gone, a season lost, and his reputation on the line.
The story is continuing to unfold ahead of his upcoming arraignment on the updated charges. Sportsnaut will continue to keep readers updated as developments occur.
