Sports Criminals

This season, “L” stands for love… and lawless… and lethal. Beginning February 1st, uncover history’s most infamous couples in this collection of episodes from across Parcast Network. Follow the misdeeds of married mafiosos. Enter the transgressions of casanova cult leaders. And demystify the lives of coupled kingpins, pirates, and spies… Because in this limited series, romance takes a sharp turn into the radical.  Get a preview of Criminal Couples right here, then search “Criminal Couples” to find and follow the series. Episodes air every Monday. Listen free, only on Spotify.

Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Crimes of Passion on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  In the late 1980s, college sweethearts Joel Tillis and Ivrin Bolden, Jr. seemed like a couple destined for success. But when Joel started to push away, Ivrin searched for someone to blame. He found a target in Joel’s best friend and teammate: 18-year-old Brenda Spicer.

Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Crimes of Passion on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  In the late 1980s, college sweethearts Joel Tillis and Ivrin Bolden, Jr. seemed like a couple destined for success. But when Joel started to push away, Ivrin searched for someone to blame. He found a target in Joel’s best friend and teammate: 18-year-old Brenda Spicer.

Building a massive doping operation to cheat the Olympics was one thing, but for Russia, keeping it secret was the bigger challenge. After one of its former athletes blew the whistle on the operation, Putin oversaw a massive cover-up that saw top officials fleeing the country.

For Vladimir Putin and Russia, the Olympics were not simply a sports competition; they were a show of power on the world stage. And ahead of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, the national team was criminally advantaged—by a top-secret, state-sponsored steroid program.

In 2013, a year after signing one of the biggest contract extensions ever granted a tight end, Hernandez was involved in yet another shooting. His career, and his life, collapsed after his arrest. 

At the University of Florida, Aaron Hernandez won two national championships and the John Mackey Award for best tight end. He went on to play for the New England Patriots, earning millions. But behind closed doors, he was reckless and violent… And a murder plot gone wrong only made him more frenzied. 

In the mid-to-late ‘90s, during the second half of his NBA career, Dennis Rodman struggled to maintain his celebrity. As his star faded, he resorted to more and more outrageous antics to get the public's attention.

He went from college dropout to one of the most dominant NBA defenders of all time. But Dennis Rodman’s tough childhood in the 1960s and ‘70s left him with a need for attention that threatened to overshadow everything he worked for.

As the 1910 baseball season came to a close, few were focused on the World Series. Instead, fans all over the U.S. were clamoring to know whether Ty Cobb or Nap Lajoie had finished the season with the highest batting average. What they didn’t know was that one player’s team was trying to cheat.

In April of 1910, the baseball season began, with even more on the line than usual. Whoever had the highest batting average across the American and National Leagues would be awarded a brand-new Chalmers 30 automobile—a baseball promotion that would become a full-blown embarrassment after officials tried to fix the results.

FIFA president João Havelange built international soccer into a global marketing phenomenon—and used it as his own personal piggy bank. Though he got away with perpetuating a cycle of corruption and cronyism for years, eventually his scandals would finally come to light in 1998.

He was an Olympic athlete and marketing genius. With the help of some well-connected friends, João Havelange soon rose to the top of international sports and became the president of FIFA in 1974. But behind closed doors, Havelange profited off of bribes and attempted to seal his legacy with corruption and nepotism.

He made headlines in 1920’s England after running ringers in some high-profile horse races. Finding he could no longer work in England, Peter Barrie travelled across the pond to the United States, where he once again tried to cheat his way into fortune and fame.

He was one of the most skilled and prolific horse racing cheaters of the early 20th century. Peter Christian Barrie got his start in Australia, but quickly struck it big in England after discovering his talent for painting horses. But like any gambler, Barrie insisted on pushing his luck well past its breaking point.

Only in his mid-20s, Rae Carruth's life was already hanging by a thread. His career as an NFL wide receiver was shattered, and he was running out of money. In 1999, at his lowest point, he even hired men to murder his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams. After the shooting, Carruth tried to dodge the consequences of his crime, but he couldn't escape justice.

In 1999, 25-year-old Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth destroyed his career and life when he paid a hitman to murder his girlfriend, Cherica Adams. The two hadn’t been in a real relationship for a long time, but were inexorably tied together… Adams was eight months pregnant.

After retiring from the MLB in 1972, Denny McClain had no idea what to do next. Baseball was the only thing he knew. Desperate to make a living, he turned to a life of crime—including fraud, drug dealing, and numerous other federal offenses.

We are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Sports Criminals today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. In 1968, Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McClain became the first person in over three decades to win 30 games. But his career was derailed by injuries, gambling, and a refusal to follow the rules.

If you enjoy the true stories told in Sports Criminals, check out this episode from our series Unsolved Murders: The mysterious circumstances surrounding Sonny Liston's death in 1971 from an alleged heroin overdose still drew suspicion. As police and journalists looked into his death years later, they discovered more than a few viable suspects.

If you enjoy the true stories told in Sports Criminals, check out this episode from our series Unsolved Murders: Former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston had a drive and motivation that was infectious. So when Geraldine Liston hadn’t heard from her husband for a few days, she didn’t think much of it. Then she returned home from a trip and found him at the foot of their bed...dead.

In 1980, Rosie Ruiz beat out past champions to win the Boston Marathon. Other runners and reporters were shocked as they watched Ruiz take her place on the winner’s stage. But the truth was that Ruiz hadn’t run the race at all. 

She came out of nowhere to win the 1980 Boston Marathon—only for it to be revealed later that she won the race by cheating. Discover how Rosie Ruiz’s mysterious beginnings led to a lifetime of lies.

Due to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! As an NBA referee throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Tim Donaghy was expected to neutrally uphold the rules of his sport. However, he used his position to enrich himself in the worst way possible: betting on games he officiated. The FBI investigation into his gambling would change the landscape of sports forever.

Going into the 1950-1951 season, the CCNY Beavers were the odds-on favorite to defend their titles. But the starting five decided to get in bed with a notorious game fixer, shaving points of the score for a few grand. And soon, it would be revealed that CCNY wasn't the only team in on the scheme.

During the 1949-1950 Men's college basketball season, the City College of New York Beavers did the unthinkable: they became the first team in history to win both the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year. But behind the scenes, several disgruntled players agreed to fix games for money.

We have reached the year 2020! So that means this is the last episode of our special, but it’s a good one! It’s about the sign-stealing scandal and the Houston Astros.

This is our penultimate episode—covering the mysterious deaths of horses at the Santa Anita racetrack during 2019.

Today we go back to 2018, with a cheating scandal that rocked the cricket world. You’ll never believe how these players got caught—and how rough the consequences were.

Back in 2017, an executive for the Sacramento Kings spent July 4th with his family at a recently purchased multi-million dollar Southern California home. A home the FBI would later question him on how he could afford to buy.

Today we head to Brazil for the Summer Olympic Games of 2016, when swimming star Ryan Lochte and three teammates reported being robbed after a night on the town. But the real story of what happened would be far more outrageous.

Today, we’re going back to 2015, when an accusation against New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady left him feeling deflated.

Today we head back to 2014, when racist comments by Donald Sterling, then owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, were made public by his mistress.

Today we head back to the year 2013, when New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested for the shocking murder of friend Odin Lloyd.

Today, we’re backpedaling to August 24, 2012, when news broke about Lance Armstrong that would change the cycling world forever.

Today we’re heading back to the year 2011. After five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Hurd signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bears. But he wouldn’t even make it through his first season.

In 2010, five players from the Ohio State University football team inked a deal that would violate NCAA rules, and make national news.

In today’s episode, we’ve teed up a moment in time that sparked a golf legend’s fall from grace—the 2009 car crash of Tiger Woods.

Today’s episode poses the question: how far would you go to help a teammate win? Well, in 2008, Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. answered in a big way, causing a debacle that would undermine F1 Racing for a generation.

Today we spring back to 2007, when a professional wrestler was convicted on sexual abuse charges after keeping eight women as sex slaves.

Today we’re checking in on the year 2006, when “Operation Slapshot” was made public by the New Jersey State Police. The gambling ring involved a former NHL player, a New Jersey state trooper, and other big names in the sport.

Today we dig into the year 2005, when Philadelphia Phillies’ relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina heard strange noises at his mother’s ranch, just outside Caracas, Venezuela. After confronting five men on the property, an altercation occurred that involved machetes and gasoline.

Today we look back at the year 2004, and the tragic results of a French rugby star’s alcohol addiction.

The year was 2003. The steroids scandal… would change the face of sports forever.

Today we make a fast break back to 2002 when a newly-retired NBA star disappeared at sea.

By the year 2001, Poker Spot had become an online poker juggernaut. That is until players could no longer deposit or withdraw money from their accounts.

We go back to the year 2000 when Spain won the gold medal in Paralympics. But there was one problem.

Today we’re headed back to the year 1999 when then Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth did the unimaginable.

Today we’re headed back to 1998, when most people associated the Winter Olympics with elite athletes and intense competition. That is until the Salt Lake Organizing Committee got involved.

In today’s episode, we go back to the year 1997 and the civil suit against O.J. Simpson.

In 1996, week one of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta concluded with a celebration in Centennial Park. The excitement of thousands quickly turned into chaos.

Today we’re traveling back to 1995 when players on the Northwestern Wildcats were busted for intentionally losing games to pay off gambling debts.

In this episode, we’re journeying back to 1994, and the shocking shooting following the Colombian National team’s loss in the World Cup.

Today we’re looking back to April 30th, 1993, when 19-year-old tennis phenom Monica Seles was only two games away from clinching a spot in the semifinals of the Hamburg Open—until the unthinkable occurred.

Today’s event comes to us from 1992 when the Little League World Series was won by an unstoppable—and questionable—group of youths from the Philippines.

Today we’re going back to 1991, when heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson was delivered a knock-out punch and charged with the sexual assault.

We’re headed back to January 11th, 1990, and the upset win by Landing Officer and his jockey at the Delta Downs race track. Discover how a devious, quick-thinking jockey used heavy fog to his advantage.

No matter how hard Chris Benoit worked, he felt like he still had to prove himself. His title shot in the WWE wouldn’t come easy—and gaining the respect of his boss, Vince McMahon, came even harder. After a string of personal losses, constantly fighting his own demons, and numerous cracks in his marriage, Benoit’s rage boiled over. And over the course of three days, he would turn to murder.

Throughout his 22-year career, professional wrestler Chris Benoit made a name for himself winning titles around the world. He was a hard worker, a disciplined wrestler, and a loving family man. Until, in June of 2007, 40-year-old Benoit did the unthinkable. Over three days, he murdered his wife, Nancy, their 7-year-old son, Daniel, then took his own life.

After losing her Los Angeles underground poker game at the hands of some nefarious players, Molly Bloom started a new game in New York. What she discovered was that her new clientele of Wall Street billionaires and Russian gangsters was far more dangerous than she realized.

Eventually known as the “Poker Princess,” Molly Bloom never intended to enter the world of gambling. Her life was supposed to be devoted to competitive skiing. In fact, she had never played a single game of poker herself at the time she found herself hosting a 2004 game in the basement of the Viper Room.

After losing to Texas in what many consider the greatest college football game ever played, news began leaking to the press about financial improprieties committed by Reggie Bush's parents. Despite being drafted by the Saints, the NCAA chose to investigate Bush—and five years later handed out the strictest punishment ever given to a college athlete.

In 2003, the USC Trojans transformed from mediocre football program to magnificent power house under head coach Pete Carroll and running back Reggie Bush. But years later, Bush’s tenure as a Trojan would be remembered as the lowest point in the team’s history. His legacy as a Heisman-winning champion was completely overshadowed by scandal.

In the backyard of his estate, hidden by high fencing and dark walls, NFL quarterback Michael Vick ran “Bad Newz Kennels.” There, dogs were trained to fight, pitted against one another, and killed when they lost. Vick’s 2007 arrest and sentencing would change the world of sports forever.

He was a new breed of athlete, reinvigorating the NFL and its fans. But it all fell apart for the Atlanta Falcons quarterback in 2007 when it was revealed that Michael Vick owned a kennel involved in a dog-fighting ring.

In September of 1920, a grand jury investigation in Chicago began gathering evidence for a court case against the eight accused White Sox players. Fans waited with bated breath as to what the consequences would be for the athletes involved and the sport of baseball itself.

The Chicago White Sox were a powerhouse of the American League in the late 1910s. But in 1919, the team became embroiled in one of the biggest sports scandals of the century when it was revealed that several players were paid to throw the World Series.

With more people starting to challenge Lance Armstrong's claim that he never used performance-enhancing drugs, he had to resort to increasingly brutal tactics to keep them silent. But in the process, he may have defrauded the American government out of millions of dollars.

In the course of winning seven straight Tour de France titles, Lance Armstrong passed hundreds of doping tests. But in reality, he was running one of the most sophisticated doping programs in the history of sports.

After retiring from English football in the late 1970s, Peter Storey needed a way to support himself. Through his network of shady connections, that way turned out to be crime.

An English football player from the 60s and 70s with a reputation for physical brutality on the field, Peter Storey’s intensity translated to a scandalous criminal life after his retirement. By the time he was 40, the football champion had been convicted of counterfeit and running a brothel.

When skating rival Nancy Kerrigan was brutally attacked six weeks before the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games, the press and the public realized who stood the most to gain from knocking her out of the running. But could it be proven? 

In the early 90s, Tonya Harding reached the pinnacle of her career as the first American woman to complete a triple-axel jump in competition. She was expected to win gold at the ‘92 Olympics, but fizzled out, placing 4th. Within a few years, her quest would be overshadowed by scandal and infamy.

On the eve of the 2004 NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals, Mike Danton wasn't focused on his first playoff series, but on killing the man who helped him get into the NHL: his agent, David Frost.

By 2004, Canadian hockey player Mike Danton was in the midst of a 4-year NHL career playing for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. He’d soon find himself on thin ice after an attempt to hire a hitman to kill his agent was thwarted.

In late 2006, NBA referee Tim Donaghy entered into a partnership with professional gambler James "Ba Ba" Battista. But the good times wouldn't last long. Within a few months, Donaghy became the target of an FBI probe. The NBA would never be the same.

As an NBA referee Tim Donaghy was expected to neutrally uphold the rules of his sport. However, he used his position to enrich himself in the worst way possible: betting on games he officiated. The FBI investigation into his gambling would change the landscape of sports forever.

After staying clean for the back half of his career, LT finishes his 13-year run with the New York Giants. Almost immediately, he finds his way back to drugs and in numerous run-ins with the law. But just as LT turned his life around once again, his decade-long journey of redemption was suddenly brought to a halt in 2010.

From 1981-1993, Lawrence Taylor was a star linebacker for the NFL’s New York Giants. It was a legendary career on one of football’s biggest teams—clouded by failed drug tests and endless possession charges.

In 1989, the MLB caught wind that Pete Rose was betting on baseball games as the manager for the Cincinnati Reds. As the truth about him came to light, Rose had a choice: admit to what he'd done, or fight the allegations until the bitter end.

Pete Rose's unrelenting drive on the baseball field earned him the nickname "Charlie Hustle" and a place as one of the sport's all-time greats. But as he racked up hits in a pursuit for Ty Cobb's all-time record, Rose was also racking up significant gambling debts that threatened to destroy his career.

In February 2013, less than a year after the 2012 Olympic Games, Oscar Pistorius would shoot and kill his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, allegedly confusing her for an intruder. The resulting trial was rife with controversy.

Oscar Pistorius captured the hearts of millions while competing in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, overcoming the doubters he fought over the course of his life. In becoming the first double amputee to compete on the Olympic stage, his story served as an inspiration to people around the world. However, shortly after reaching inconceivable heights, he would become embroiled in an unbelievable scandal.

Professional athletes are some of the most idolized figures in the world; they have millions of fans and millions of dollars. Sports Criminals is a Parcast Original highlighting professional athletes who thought they could get away with anything, including blackmail, theft, prostitution and even murder. New episodes premiere every Thursday.