NBA and NFL Issue Warnings Following Series of Athlete Home Burglaries

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has advised its players to enhance the security measures in their homes in light of a spate of high-profile burglaries involving the residences of prominent athletes. According to a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has linked several burglaries to «transnational South American Theft Groups,» which are characterized as «well-organized, sophisticated rings» employing advanced surveillance and technology, including drones and signal jamming devices.

An incident involving NBA player Mike Conley‘s home occurred on September 15 while he was attending a game. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that jewelry was stolen during the incident. Another notable case involved Bobby Portis, who reported a break-in at his home on November 2. Portis has subsequently offered a $40,000 reward for any information leading to a resolution of the case.

The problem is not isolated to the NBA. The National Football League (NFL) has experienced similar issues, with players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce being recent victims. Law enforcement records indicate their homes were targeted last month, prompting the NFL to issue a similar cautionary memo to its teams.

A source informed ABC News that on November 15, the FBI briefed various professional sports leagues about the situation. The NBA memo emphasized that these criminal rings are primarily targeting cash and valuables such as jewelry, watches, and luxury goods, which can easily be resold on the black market.

In response, the NBA has offered recommendations for enhanced home security. These include installing advanced alarm systems with cameras, utilizing protective services during extended absences, and storing valuables in secure safes. Additionally, it suggests removing online listings displaying interior images of homes.

Patrick Mahomes expressed his frustration, stating, «Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing. But I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing.»

Further investigations have led to the recovery of a watch belonging to Travis Kelce in Providence, Rhode Island, as confirmed by sources close to the case. Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas, was burglarized at a time coinciding with a Chiefs game on Monday Night Football. Reports state that $20,000 in cash was taken.

Authorities believe the timing of these burglaries correlates with the players’ game schedules, suggesting a premeditated targeting of athletes. A security source highlighted concerns regarding what might transpire if family members are present during such incidents.