Mike Vorkunov
@mikevorkunov.bsky.social
National NBA + basketball reporter at The Athletic — a self-indulgent way to say I write about basketball, and its intersection with money.
Co-founder @30newsletter.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE PLEASE: www.youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
mvorkunov@theathletic.com
Co-founder @30newsletter.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE PLEASE: www.youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
mvorkunov@theathletic.com
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Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
Welcome to Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov. Mike is a reporter who covers the NBA and the business of sports. Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov is a place to discuss the intersection of money ...
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I recently launched my own podcast and YouTube show: Business Decision.
It's about sports! If you've liked my work at The Athletic, you'll like this. I'd love it if you SUBSCRIBED:
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It's about sports! If you've liked my work at The Athletic, you'll like this. I'd love it if you SUBSCRIBED:
youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
Spotify: spotify.link/F0jjfmqPKXb
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
The Heat just topped it
That was an insane 3 by Donovan Mitchell
November 11, 2025 at 3:37 AM
The Heat just topped it
That was an insane 3 by Donovan Mitchell
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 AM
That was an insane 3 by Donovan Mitchell
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
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November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Posted 50+ #journalismjobs, like:
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
MLB said sportsbooks that serve as its authorized gaming operators will cap bets on pitch prop bets to $200 and won't allow them to be part of parlays This includes bets on whether a pitch is a ball or strike and velocity. Those were the props allegedly exploited by Emmanuel Clase + Luis Ortiz.
November 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
MLB said sportsbooks that serve as its authorized gaming operators will cap bets on pitch prop bets to $200 and won't allow them to be part of parlays This includes bets on whether a pitch is a ball or strike and velocity. Those were the props allegedly exploited by Emmanuel Clase + Luis Ortiz.
Prosecutors describe pitches by Clase in these games to have been thrown to help bettors win on him:
May 19, 2023 vs. Mets
June 3 vs. Twins
June 7 vs. Red Sox
April 12, 2025 vs. Royals
April 26 vs. Red Sox
May 11 vs. Phillies
May 13 vs. Brewers
May 17 vs. Reds
May 28 vs. Dodgers
May 19, 2023 vs. Mets
June 3 vs. Twins
June 7 vs. Red Sox
April 12, 2025 vs. Royals
April 26 vs. Red Sox
May 11 vs. Phillies
May 13 vs. Brewers
May 17 vs. Reds
May 28 vs. Dodgers
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Prosecutors describe pitches by Clase in these games to have been thrown to help bettors win on him:
May 19, 2023 vs. Mets
June 3 vs. Twins
June 7 vs. Red Sox
April 12, 2025 vs. Royals
April 26 vs. Red Sox
May 11 vs. Phillies
May 13 vs. Brewers
May 17 vs. Reds
May 28 vs. Dodgers
May 19, 2023 vs. Mets
June 3 vs. Twins
June 7 vs. Red Sox
April 12, 2025 vs. Royals
April 26 vs. Red Sox
May 11 vs. Phillies
May 13 vs. Brewers
May 17 vs. Reds
May 28 vs. Dodgers
Clase agreed to throw balls and sliders (lower velo than fastballs) and usually with the 1st pitch of an at-bat. Prosecutors say that the bettors he allegedly worked with made more than 100 bets on his pitches and parlays. Clase sometimes texted/called his alleged conspirators during games.
Prosecutors say that Clase allegedly conspired with someone to throw pitches to help that bettor win his wagers. The scheme lasted from May 2023 thru June 2025. Ortiz joined in June 2025. The bettors won $450,000 in total betting on the two Guardians pitchers.
Federal prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz told bettors in advance what pitches they'd throw (what kind and how fast) so they could win bets on them and that sometimes the pitchers received kickbacks for their participation in the alleged scheme.
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Clase agreed to throw balls and sliders (lower velo than fastballs) and usually with the 1st pitch of an at-bat. Prosecutors say that the bettors he allegedly worked with made more than 100 bets on his pitches and parlays. Clase sometimes texted/called his alleged conspirators during games.
Prosecutors say that Clase allegedly conspired with someone to throw pitches to help that bettor win his wagers. The scheme lasted from May 2023 thru June 2025. Ortiz joined in June 2025. The bettors won $450,000 in total betting on the two Guardians pitchers.
Federal prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz told bettors in advance what pitches they'd throw (what kind and how fast) so they could win bets on them and that sometimes the pitchers received kickbacks for their participation in the alleged scheme.
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Prosecutors say that Clase allegedly conspired with someone to throw pitches to help that bettor win his wagers. The scheme lasted from May 2023 thru June 2025. Ortiz joined in June 2025. The bettors won $450,000 in total betting on the two Guardians pitchers.
Federal prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz told bettors in advance what pitches they'd throw (what kind and how fast) so they could win bets on them and that sometimes the pitchers received kickbacks for their participation in the alleged scheme.
November 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Federal prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz told bettors in advance what pitches they'd throw (what kind and how fast) so they could win bets on them and that sometimes the pitchers received kickbacks for their participation in the alleged scheme.
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted today by the DOJ on 4 federal charges for what prosecutors in the Eastern District of NY say is rigging pitches in MLB games to help win bets.
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted today by the DOJ on 4 federal charges for what prosecutors in the Eastern District of NY say is rigging pitches in MLB games to help win bets.
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
The New York is looking for a fact checker condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The New York is looking for a fact checker condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
Indiana, team of destiny
November 8, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Indiana, team of destiny
This was amazing.
November 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
This was amazing.
NCAA found that 6 basketball players across 3 schools (UNO, Miss. Valley State, and Arizona St) manipulated their performance so that others could win money betting on their games.
NCAA found 3 players on the University of New Orleans were point shaving in 7 games last season.
NCAA found 3 players on the University of New Orleans were point shaving in 7 games last season.
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
NCAA found that 6 basketball players across 3 schools (UNO, Miss. Valley State, and Arizona St) manipulated their performance so that others could win money betting on their games.
NCAA found 3 players on the University of New Orleans were point shaving in 7 games last season.
NCAA found 3 players on the University of New Orleans were point shaving in 7 games last season.
You can also subscribe, download and listen to this episode (and all Business Decision episodes) as a podcast.
Find it on
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5cqv...
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
And wherever else you get your podcasts!
Find it on
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5cqv...
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
And wherever else you get your podcasts!
November 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
You can also subscribe, download and listen to this episode (and all Business Decision episodes) as a podcast.
Find it on
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5cqv...
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
And wherever else you get your podcasts!
Find it on
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5cqv...
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
And wherever else you get your podcasts!
This was the news from women's basketball yesterday but worth noting that a men's league is definitely coming next fall too. And we reported earlier that this prospect has raised intrigue around the NBA.
Nneka Ogwumike is the first to join Project B but Alana Beard, Project B's chief basketball officer, said "multiple" players who received All-WNBA honors are signed, too, along with others.
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Nneka Ogwumike signs with Project B, becomes first player publicly associated with new league
Project B is expected to launch in 2026 and play its debut season from November 2026 through April 2027.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This was the news from women's basketball yesterday but worth noting that a men's league is definitely coming next fall too. And we reported earlier that this prospect has raised intrigue around the NBA.
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
📺 Business Decision📺
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
Inside the WNBA Cold War that will decide the league's future
YouTube video by Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
📺 Business Decision📺
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
Nneka Ogwumike is the first to join Project B but Alana Beard, Project B's chief basketball officer, said "multiple" players who received All-WNBA honors are signed, too, along with others.
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Nneka Ogwumike signs with Project B, becomes first player publicly associated with new league
Project B is expected to launch in 2026 and play its debut season from November 2026 through April 2027.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Nneka Ogwumike is the first to join Project B but Alana Beard, Project B's chief basketball officer, said "multiple" players who received All-WNBA honors are signed, too, along with others.
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
A men's league will launch Fall 2026, too.
Story with @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
Pitchfork is hiring a staff writer www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
November 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Pitchfork is hiring a staff writer www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
Yes, there is an episode of Business Decision about Project B
youtu.be/_ACEbsTWM4c
youtu.be/_ACEbsTWM4c
November 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Yes, there is an episode of Business Decision about Project B
youtu.be/_ACEbsTWM4c
youtu.be/_ACEbsTWM4c
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
here's the same numbers as four-year rolling averages, to show more trends and less noise. very similar trajectories until the last couple years.
November 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
here's the same numbers as four-year rolling averages, to show more trends and less noise. very similar trajectories until the last couple years.
Nneka Ogwumike announced today that she signed with Project B, the new league that is set to launch in fall 2026. We @theathletic.com wrote about Project B last month www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Maverick Carter is out, but this new global basketball league is still planning its launch
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Nneka Ogwumike announced today that she signed with Project B, the new league that is set to launch in fall 2026. We @theathletic.com wrote about Project B last month www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
The average viewership for the NBA Finals and World Series over the last decade
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The average viewership for the NBA Finals and World Series over the last decade
📺 Business Decision📺
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
Inside the WNBA Cold War that will decide the league's future
YouTube video by Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
📺 Business Decision📺
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts
This is the most important offseason in WNBA history, and it has begun with a fractious CBA negotiation for its economic future.
@sabreenajm.bsky.social @benpickman.bsky.social and I get wonky about the WNBA
youtu.be/KertyenwTBU
Or get it everywhere you get your podcasts