mob‘s Influence in Sports Endures, Says Meyer Lansky II Amid NBA Gambling Probe
PORTLAND, Ore. – As the NBA grapples with allegations of gambling-related misconduct involving players, Meyer Lansky II, grandson of notorious mobster Meyer Lansky, asserts the historical connection between organized crime and the sports world remains potent. Speaking as federal investigations unfold, Lansky II explained the enduring appeal of sports for criminal organizations, citing control, influence, and a desire for affiliation with high-profile figures.
The timing of Lansky II’s comments comes as the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coach, Chauncey Billups, recently left a courthouse following a hearing related to federal gambling charges – a case emblematic of the league’s current crisis. While the NBA has implemented stricter gambling policies, Lansky II contends the underlying dynamics that drew his grandfather’s generation to sports haven’t disappeared. He suggests the mob’s involvement isn’t simply about profit, but also about power and prestige.
Lansky II detailed how bookmakers offer a level of “protection” for gamblers, acting as enforcers for debts and wielding influence over individuals. “You don’t have to come up with the front money, you place it with a bookie a lot of times. They’ll look for you if you don’t pay up… They have different ways they do things with somebody,” he explained. He further noted the allure of associating with celebrities and athletes, stating, “There’s an affiliation with the mafia and famous people and sports people, they like that connection sometimes. It gives them something. It’s a strong entity in our society, so that’s one of the reasons. They trust them, too.”
Lansky II is releasing a book, “The Lansky Legacy,” on Tuesday, aiming to dispel myths surrounding his grandfather and present a more accurate account of his life and activities. He positions the book as a corrective to long-held misconceptions about his family’s history and influence.
