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Major sports leagues continue to crack down on gambling among athletes, with Major League Soccer now issuing lifetime bans to midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah.
Investigation uncovers wagers on personal matches
Jones and Yeboah played together on the Columbus Crew in 2025 before Yeboah departed for LAFC that January. The league launched an investigation after receiving suspicious gambling alerts, eventually uncovering extensive wagers placed on MLS matches—including games in which the pair participated.
One specific instance involved both players wagering that Jones would receive a yellow card during an Oct. 19, 2024, match against the New York Red Bulls. Jones was cautioned in the 36th minute of the Crew’s 3-2 victory.
MLS investigators found the activity extended beyond the duo; evidence suggests the pair shared confidential information with other gamblers. However, officials stated there is currently no evidence that the bets impacted final match outcomes.
In a statement reported by Reuters, Commissioner Don Garber reinforced league bylaws designed to protect game integrity:
“The league will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts and advocate for the elimination of yellow-card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans.”
Yeboah joined the Chinese Super League squad Qingdao Hainiu in January. Jones was released by the Crew in November and remains a free agent.
Professional sports grapple with betting risks
Leagues are struggling to navigate the landscape of legal sports betting. While many have formed lucrative partnerships with sportsbooks and iGaming outlets, all major sports include contractual provisions that strictly limit or forbid players from using betting platforms.
The MLS bans follow a string of high-profile scandals across the industry:
- NBA: Former player Jontay Porter was banned for life for sports betting in 2024, while Terry Rozier and coach Chauncey Billups faced indictments last year involving gambling and rigged poker games.
- MLB: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were federally indicted on wire fraud charges for allegedly rigging prop bets based on their own pitches.
As leagues work to develop more robust standard operating procedures, the bans of Jones and Yeboah serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between professional sports and the betting industry.
