Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ Manager, Allegedly Engaged in Illegal NBA Betting through Bookie

Maverick Carter revealed to federal agents that he placed thousands of dollars worth of bets on NBA games and other sports through an illegal bookie, as reported by The Washington Post.

The manager and longtime partner of LeBron James, Carter made the admission during a 2021 investigation into illegal bookie Wayne Nix, insisting that James was not involved in the bets. The Washington Post confirmed the details of Carter’s gambling activity through a review of federal law enforcement records, revealing that he wagered on 20 NBA and NFL games, with each amount ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Carter, who has been close with James since childhood, mentioned that he “could not remember placing any bets on the Lakers,” as discovered in an investigative report by The Washington Post.

Both hailing from Akron, Ohio, Carter and James share numerous investments, including the SpringHill Company, a media endeavor that reached a $725 million valuation in 2021, along with minority ownerships in the Boston Red Sox and English soccer club Liverpool ($725 million valuation).

Adam Mendelsohn, a spokesman for Carter and James, verified Carter’s admission, stating that “Mr. Carter was not the target of the investigation, cooperated, was never charged, and never contacted again on the matter.”

Mendelsohn declined to answer further questions about James, clarifying that it had “nothing to do with” him. Carter also refuted placing bets for anyone else.

Although Nix later pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement with an expansive offshore sports-betting ring, no legal or professional consequences were faced by Carter.

The NBA prohibits official league staff, including players, coaches, and agents, from betting on league contests but does not apply those rules to agents or business managers. Similarly, the NBPA, the players union, bans agents but not business managers from betting on the NBA.