Sports
Damon Jones agrees to plea deal in federal gambling case
Jul 13, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers Summer League head coach Damon Jones gestures during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones accepted a plea agreement, becoming the first to take a deal in the federal gambling investigation that led to more than two dozen arrests.
Jones, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Tuesday, one day after former Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier learned prosecutors were adding charges against him.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association,” Jones said in brief comments in the courtroom.
Jones confessed to participating in what feds labeled “Operation Royal Flush” and being a “face card” in at least three rigged poker games between October 2020 and September 2023. He said two of the games were held in Miami and he participated knowing the games were rigged.
Evidence shared by the prosecution placed Jones at all three games through witness testimony and text messages recovered from seized cell phones and iCloud accounts and wire activity detected in interstate transfers of funds. The investigation turned up technology that made cheating easy without detection, the prosecution said.
Sentencing was scheduled for January 2027.
His guilty pleas on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo were in two separate federal cases in which Jones is named: U.S. v. Earnest and U.S. v. Aiello.
A sentencing range of five years to 78 months was tied to the case prior to the arraignment late last year. Jones agreed on Tuesday to the terms of forfeiture of no less than $38,000 tied to his winnings during the scheme.
Jones played 11 seasons in the NBA and crossed over with LeBron James in Cleveland and Miami, later coaching without an official title with the Lakers. Prosecutors contended he shared privileged information, including at least one instance involving James’ injury status against the Milwaukee Bucks, for the ill-gotten gains of a professionally-tied gambling ring.
The sentence in that case is not more than 27 months.
Jones initially pleaded not guilty in December. He can be credited up to two years for entering a plea agreement.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Steelers signing veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, multiple outlets reported on Saturday.
Jenkins, 32, recorded 45 tackles and one interception in 17 games (three starts) last season with Cleveland.
He has 562 tackles, 11 interceptions and four forced fumbles in 139 games (92 starts) with the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-20), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-23), Seattle Seahawks (2024) and Browns.
Jenkins, a fourth-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2017, has scored two defensive touchdowns: a pick-six in 2022 and a 102-yard fumble return in 2024.
Jenkins provides depth in the secondary behind starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, along with fellow veteran newcomer Darnell Savage.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Summit sign former Liverpool D Gemma Bonner
Aug 27, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Racing Louisville FC defender Gemma Bonner (4) before playing against the Chicago Red Stars at Lynn Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: EM Dash-Imagn Images The Denver Summit announced the signing Saturday of defender Gemma Bonner through the end of the season.
The 35-year-old England international returns to the NWSL after four productive years at Liverpool FC (2023-26).
“We’re thrilled to bring in a proven winner with this level of experience,” Denver general manager Curt Johnson said. “She’s competed in multiple leagues and consistently found ways to make an impact wherever she’s been. That kind of veteran presence is invaluable — not just for what she’ll contribute on the field, but for the example she’ll set in the locker room. We’re excited to have her as part of our organization.”
Bonner played for Racing Louisville from 2021-22, contributing one goal in 33 NWSL matches (all starts).
Bonner previously played for Liverpool from 2012-18, in addition to stints with Leeds United (2017-11), Chelsea (2011-12) and Manchester City (2018-21). She also earned 12 caps with England and helped the national team win the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Exiled Trevor Bauer wishes he never signed with Dodgers
Jun 18, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Five years after he last threw a pitch in the major leagues, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and 10-year veteran Trevor Bauer continues to blame others for his inability to find a roster spot within an organization.
In an interview this week on the YouTube channel “La casa de los Dodgers,” Bauer expressed regret over signing a three-year, $102-million deal with his hometown club. The 35-year-old right-hander currently is pitching for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in Mexico City.
“I wish I had never played for them,” Bauer said in the interview. “… The front-office people, I wish them nothing but the worst because they treated me like s–t and I just don’t appreciate it. I don’t think you should treat a human being like that.”
During his first season with the Dodgers in 2021, Bauer was accused of sexual assault from two separate encounters with the same woman. The Pasadena (Calif.) Police Department confirmed the allegations.
After an investigation, charges were never filed, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office saying there was a lack of evidence. The Dodgers still elected to part ways with the Los Angeles-area native after the process continued into April of 2022. The investigation uncovered disturbing details about the relationship between Bauer and his accuser.
The incident followed a pattern of Bauer being combative on social media, as well as political views and opinions on political figures.
The 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, Bauer said he had the support of Dodgers teammate Mookie Betts and that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered emotional support on one occasion. He offered criticism of Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior.
Since his last pitch in the majors, Bauer has played in Japan and Mexico and had seven starts earlier this season with the independent Long Island Ducks. The Ducks transferred Bauer’s contract to the Diablos Rojos in June.
In the interview, Bauer said that signing with the Dodgers “was really cool for me,” after he grew up rooting for the club. But he said the Dodgers’ clubhouse atmosphere “wasn’t as good as some other places I’ve been.”
He insists that he still is good enough to compete at the game’s highest level.
“I’d love to be back in the big leagues at some point, but it is pretty obvious at this point that the league will never allow that to happen,” Bauer said. “I think what they are doing is illegal and I just don’t want to waste my time and energy and money and everything suing them because I don’t think that is good for baseball.”
Bauer went 83-69 with a 3.79 ERA in 222 games (212 starts) with four teams from 2012-21.
–Field Level Media
Reports: Steelers signing veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins
Summit sign former Liverpool D Gemma Bonner
