ESPN floored pundits by choosing not to air an FBI Kash Patel press conference on the shocking new fraud arrests in the NBA.

The FBI investigation into an illegal gambling ring that resulted in the arrest of Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier rocked the NBA on Thursday. And in the wake of the shocking news, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is arguing that the investigation has political implications.

The NBA placed Billups on leave, and Portland named assistant coach Tiago Splitter, who won two championships as a player with the Spurs and was the head coach of Paris Basketball in the Euroleague, as interim coach. The Blazers face the Golden State Warriors on Friday at home.

ESPN pays Penn Entertainment to license the ESPN Bet brand and Greenberg himself has fronted several of its commercials and betting promotions.

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith sparred on ESPN over the FBI gambling probe involving NBA players, with Barkley calling arrested individuals "stupid," not addicted.

ESPN tried to subtly remove one of its on-air graphics while discussing the major NBA gambling scandal that broke on Thursday, but fans were quick to notice the change.