The NBA is urging players to stay vigilant with home security measures amid the outbreak of burglaries
Player safety has recently become a topic of conversation in the sports world, and the NBA is the latest major US league to raise awareness about home safety.
The NBA sent a memo to team officials after Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley were victims of home invasions. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the memo.
The department noted that the FBI believes that the majority of the burglaries were linked to “South American Theft Groups” which are reportedly “well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technology, including advanced surveillance, drones, and signal jamming equipment. .”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
A basketball is placed on the court next to the NBA logo during halftime during the first half of the 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Conley’s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 as he attended the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Timberwolves guard took part in the Vikings’ pregame festivities as he helped fire up more than 66,000 fans inside US Bank Stadium. However, while Conley was attending an NFL game a few miles away, his home in Medina, Minnesota, was burglarized, police said.
The burglars left the property with jewelry, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported at the time.
NFL ISSUES SECURITY ALERT AFTER NEWS MAHOMES, KELCE’S HOMES LINKED TO ‘ORGANIZED’ TEAM: REPORTS
Medina Police Chief Jason Nelson noted that Conley’s property was one of three burglaries that authorities investigated last Sunday. All homes were unoccupied at the time of the burglary.
Portis said her home was burglarized on Nov. 2 and has offered a $40,000 reward for information related to the incident.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis competes against the Miami Heat in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round series Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
“Obviously it’s frustrating, it’s disappointing, but I can’t go into too many details because the investigation is still ongoing,” said Mahomes recently. “But, obviously, it’s something you don’t want to happen to anyone, but obviously yourself.”
April 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo on the backboard before the game between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat at the Toyota Center. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Elsewhere, the homes of NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized over the course of several days last month, according to law enforcement reports. The NFL issued a similar warning memo to its teams this week.
The NBA memo, which relayed information from the FBI, said the theft rings “primarily focus on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury handbags.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM
The NBA, which has been providing guidance to team security personnel, recommended that players install updated alarm systems and cameras and use them whenever they leave home, store valuables in locked and secured safes, and remove online real estate listings that may show interior photos. home, “use security services” during long trips away from home and even suggested that dogs help with home security.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.
