ESPN personality Mike Greenberg has been accused of “irresponsible” behavior this week.
Greenberg, 58, is one of the faces of ESPN. He hosts “Get Up!” every weekday morning. He’s also leading ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” coverage while hosting NBA postseason coverage for the network, as well. Greenberg, who formerly hosted “Mike & Mike” on ESPN Radio, is clearly one of the most-important figures at the network.
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But this week, the longtime ESPN host is facing criticism on social media, stemming from the NBA’s gambling scandal, involving three prominent figures within the league.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 14: TV/Radio Host Mike Greenberg attends Build to discuss his partnership with Dove Men + Care and the new film ‘There To Care’ at Build Studio on June 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)WireImage/Getty
Earlier this month, the FBI announced that more than 30 people – including three prominent NBA figures – had been arrested for poker and gambling scandals.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones were arrested as part of a years-long probe into gambling fraud. Billups is accused of hosting rigged poker games, while Rozier and Jones are accused of giving inside information to bettors.
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“Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a seven-count indictment was unsealed charging 31 defendants in criminal schemes to rig illegal poker games at various locations in New York City, East Hampton, New York, and throughout the United States. This morning, 31 defendants were arrested in 11 states, including members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra (LCN); Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA); and Damon Jones, also known as “Dee,” a former NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. The defendants will make initial court appearances this afternoon at federal courthouses throughout the United States, including the Eastern District of New York,” the FBI announced.
Greenberg facing criticism for behavior
While ESPN has been covering the gambling scandal, it has also been promoting its own sports betting app, ESPN Bet.
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This week, Greenberg pushed one of his parlay bets on social media.
“Happy holidays! The whole squad cooked up a parlay for the sports equinox with one leg each on NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL. Ride with us on ESPN Bet,” he wrote on the sports equinox, October 27.
Greenberg is facing criticism for pushing gambling content in the midst of a gambling controversy.
“Mike you guys did 4 whole segments on the issues with sports gambling and then you do this I understand it’s a big market and it’s part of the job but man talk about mixed messages,” one fan wrote.
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“Way to prey on kids to get them addicted to gambling…you’re a joke,” one fan added.
“Looks like you will sell out for anything,” one fan added.
“How many have to ruin their lives with gambling addiction or how many cases of athletes fixing games does there have to be to get these ads to stop? Sad that apparently you need to continue them,” one fan added.
Sports media figures are not to blame for gambling scandals, but it certainly doesn’t help when these kind of ads and promotions are everywhere.
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.