The rapid growth of legalized sports wagering in the United States has created new oversight responsibilities for professional leagues, including the National Basketball Association (“NBA”). As part of an ongoing inquiry into potential betting-related misconduct, the NBA recently asked multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, to provide cell phones and internal documents to assist in its fact-finding process.[1] This request, reported within the last several days, highlights broader legal and structural considerations surrounding league governance, employee privacy, and the league’s commitment to maintaining competitive integrity.
The NBA, like other professional leagues, operates pursuant to a constitution, bylaws, and various collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) that grant the Commissioner broad authority to investigate conduct that could affect the integrity of the game.[2] These governing documents generally empower the league to gather information from teams and employees in appropriate circumstances. At the same time, modern investigations increasingly intersect with issues of data privacy, digital device ownership, and employment law protections. When investigative steps involve personal cell phones or mixed-use devices, employees may possess certain expectations of privacy, even when league rules authorize cooperation.[3] As a result, leagues often seek voluntary compliance or work through team counsel to ensure that investigative demands are handled appropriately.
The legal landscape is further complicated by the fact that sports-integrity issues frequently arise alongside, or in connection with, governmental or law enforcement activity. While the NBA itself does not possess subpoena power, its internal investigations may run parallel to federal inquiries, creating a need for coordination and careful handling of sensitive information.[4] In these situations, leagues must balance integrity concerns with the procedural safeguards that govern how personal data is accessed, preserved, or shared. The NBA has publicly emphasized that its current device and document requests are standard practice in integrity reviews, and that it intends to follow established investigative protocols.[5]
From a contractual standpoint, most team and league employment agreements contain provisions addressing cooperation with league investigations, adherence to integrity rules, and potential discipline for conduct detrimental to the league.[6]These provisions provide the framework within which the NBA may seek information and determine whether additional action is warranted. Employees, meanwhile, retain protections under general employment law, CBAs, and state privacy statutes, all of which help ensure that investigative processes remain fair and proportionate.
As legalized sports betting continues to evolve, so will the legal and operational questions surrounding league oversight. The NBA’s recent inquiry underscores the need for clear investigatory procedures, transparent expectations for team personnel, and ongoing dialogue among leagues, players’ associations, regulators, and integrity monitoring partners. While the current investigation is still developing, it offers an important case study in how professional sports organizations navigate integrity concerns while respecting the legal rights and interests of all involved.
[1] Jack Maloney, NBA Betting Investigation: Lakers Among Teams Asked to Hand Over Cell Phones, CBS Sports (Nov. 15, 2025).
[2] See NBA Constitution art. IV, § 4 (granting the Commissioner authority to investigate matters affecting the integrity of the game).
[3] See, e.g., Stored Communications Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2701–2712; various state privacy laws governing access to electronic devices.
[4] See Patrick Andres, NBA Wants Cell Phones from Multiple Teams as Betting Probe Widens, Sports Illustrated (Nov. 14, 2025).
[5] Id.
[6] See, e.g., Uniform Player Contract; NBA-NBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement art. VI (duties and obligations of players and team personnel).
Law student at the University at Buffalo.
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