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Antonio Gates, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025, has categorically denied any connection to the sprawling gambling scandal that has sent shockwaves through the NBA and the sports world at large.
Denise White, Gates’ business director, released a statement rejecting reports linking the former NFL tight end to alleged Mafia-backed poker schemes.
“Antonio Gates was not involved and has not been accused of any wrongdoing, claims to the contrary are false and baseless. There will be no further comment on this matter,” White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, said in a statement released Monday.
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates watches a replay from the sideline at the StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images)
On Sunday, podcaster and television host Pablo Torre reported that Gates allegedly “hosted” and also “played” a fraudulent poker game. The match in question would have taken place in Miami. Additionally, Torre claimed that Curtis Meeks also “set up” the illegal affair.
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Meeks was among more than 30 people named in indictments unsealed last week. Gates’ name was not included in the federal documents.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones were among those arrested by federal investigators.
A basketball is placed on the court next to an NBA logo during a break in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Federal investigators accused Rozier of revealing inside information about players’ availability, which was allegedly used to influence prop bets. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, was linked to organizing and executing complex illegal poker operations. Jones was also associated with this sophisticated project.
Investigators said the illegal operation was highly organized and targeted players under the guise of legitimacy. However, the games were structured in a way that prevented fair results.
According to an FBI indictment, the illegal gambling ring had ties to La Cosa Nostra, the Italian mafia.
Gates spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Chargers organization.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) gestures during warmups for the game against Washington on December 10, 2017, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
During that time, he was named to eight Pro Bowls. He is the Chargers’ receiving leader. He finished his remarkable career with 116 receiving touchdowns.
Gates’ path to the NFL was unconventional. He chose to play basketball over football in college. He then went undrafted in 2003.
Gates is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.
