LeBron James' manager and business partner Maverick Carter 'admitted to illegally betting on thousands on NBA games to federal law enforcement'

LeBron James ' long-time manager and business partner Maverick Carter admitted to betting on NBA games through an illegal bookie, according to reports.

The Washington Post says federal law enforcement records show Carter made the admission in November of 2021, during an investigation into bookie Wayne Nix. Nix has since pleaded guilty to charges related to his role running an illegal sports gambling operation.

'In 2021 and before 38 states and the District of Columbia legalized sports betting, Maverick Carter was interviewed a single time by federal law enforcement regarding their investigation into Wayne Nix,' Carter's spokesperson, Adam Mendelsohn, told the Post.

'Mr. Carter was not the target of the investigation,' Mendelsohn added. '(Carter) Cooperated, was never charged, and never contacted again on the matter.'

When asked about James, Mendelsohn said Carter's wagering 'has nothing to do with him.'

Maverick Carter reportedly admitted to illegally betting thousands on basketball and football

Carter (L) is Lakers star LeBron James' manager, business partner and former teammate

Carter is said to have told agents that he 'could not remember placing any bets on the Lakers,' according to a summary of the interview. He also reportedly denied placing bets for other people.

According to the Post, records show that Carter and his attorneys told investigators that he placed around 20 bets on football and basketball games over the course of a year. The bets each ranged between $5,000 to $10,000.

NBA rules do not allow players, team and league officials to gamble on games but the league do not have control over business managers or agents. The National Basketball Players Association, meanwhile, does not allow agents to bet on NBA games but leaves business managers out of the rule book.

James and Carter are childhood friends from Akron, Ohio. They co-own a media company and have minority stakes in the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool, the English soccer club.