U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas has ordered former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley to pay $1 million in default judgment to his former sports agency.
Vargas granted the default judgment on Thursday (March 5) in New York in favor of Hazan Sports Management Group, Inc.
The court awarded $1 million in damages, plus pre-judgment interest calculated at $246.58 per day from March 27, 2025, until the date judgment is entered, and post-judgment interest under 28 U.S.C. § 1961, the order states.
The case had been referred to Magistrate Judge Gary Stein on Sept. 15, 2025, to prepare a Report and Recommendation (R&R) and to conduct an inquest on damages, the order says.
Stein filed the R&R on Jan. 31, 2026, recommending that the court grant the plaintiff’s motion for default judgment.
The district court noted that the R&R gave the parties 14 days to object and warned that failure to do so would waive their right to object.
The court said no objections were filed and no extension was requested, so Beasley waived the right to object and to obtain appellate review.
After reviewing the R&R without objections, the court said it found the recommendation “thorough, well-reasoned and grounded in fact and law,” and it adopted the R&R in full.
The clerk was directed to enter judgment consistent with the order, terminate docket entries tied to the motion, and close the case.
Malik Beasley
The season begins in March for the Super Bowl LX halftime performer’s team.
This gives Beasley the opportunity to play for Bad Bunny's team in Puerto Rico and showcase ahead of 2026 free agency as he awaits a ruling on his NBA investigation. Beasley averaged 16.3 points in all 82 games for the Pistons last season, setting a franchise-record 319 3s. https://t.co/7rKmS5VMdq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 13, 2026
Beasley has been out of the NBA due to a gambling investigation about him betting on games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season.
He had been under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office since June 29, 2025, and was evicted by his landlord in Detroit on Aug. 6 for unpaid rent.
Court documents revealed that the NBA free agent was sued twice in 2025 in the 36th District Court for a total of $21,505 in unpaid rent.
Reports indicate that the first case was dismissed in March of 2025, but the court issued an eviction order in the second suit for $7,355 after Beasley failed to respond.
Beasley’s legal troubles extend beyond gambling allegations, as he pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to making threats of violence and was sentenced to 120 days in jail.
He served 78 days after being arrested in September 2020 for brandishing a firearm at a family near his property.
Beasley has earned almost $60 million during his nine-year NBA career.
He was also being sued by his former marketing agency, Hazan Sports Management, which alleges that Beasley failed to repay a $650,000 advance made in 2025.
It has been reported that the NBA free agent is allegedly owed money by a celebrity barber and a dentist.
Beasley’s investigation follows other NBA gambling-related cases.
Toronto Raptors forward-center Jontay Porter was banned for life after pleading guilty to wire fraud linked to prop bets.
Point guard Terry Rozier was investigated for unusual betting patterns during a 2023 game, before becoming entangled with former Pistons legend Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups in a major FBI investigation into illegal gambling and game-fixing.
→ Detroit Pistons legend Chauncey Billups released after FBI arrest in nationwide game-fixing probe
The Porter case began when the NBA became aware of suspicious betting patterns from licensed sports betting operators.
Porter allegedly provided a bettor with inside information on his health before a March 2024 game, enabling an $80,000 bet that could have won $1.1 million.
Beasley, who plans to showcase his talents ahead of 2026 free agency, signed a one-year, $6.6 million contract with the Pistons for the 2024-25 season.
He helped Detroit reach the postseason for the first time since 2019 and ended the franchise’s 15-game playoff losing streak, averaging 16.3 points per game in all 82 games for the Pistons last season, setting a franchise record 319 three-pointers made.
Before joining the Pistons, Beasley played for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
But the veteran shooting guard may be facing an uphill battle if he is found guilty, as potentially losing a multi-million dollar contract will be the least of his worries while he waits for a ruling on his NBA investigation.
Pistons President of Basketball Operations, Trajan Langdon, said Beasley’s possible return is still under league investigation, with no clarity on when it will conclude.