The Threat
The email, which Nina shared on social media, was expletive laden and explicitly violent. She posted it alongside a warning about the growing dangers athletes face as sports betting explodes nationwide.
“The negative effects of sports betting brings out the worst in people smh,” Nina wrote. “Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. It’s something my husband and I consider routine.”
The Bigger Problem
Nina emphasized that this isn’t about one angry fan. It’s about a systemic issue.
“I’m sharing this now because I’m growing increasingly concerned for athletes. I felt it important to highlight the effects that sports betting has on individuals and how it puts athletes and their families in potentially dangerous positions.”
The Context
Earlier this season, federal authorities charged multiple NBA figures with illegal gambling activities. Former player Damon Jones and current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were charged with distributing confidential information for betting.
“That whole world was introduced a couple of years ago, and I don’t think they took players into consideration especially with the energy, the behavior that goes around gambling and how that directly correlates with players.”
Brown noted that players don’t benefit from gambling profits but bear the brunt of the negativity.
The Bottom Line
Russell Westbrook has been one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures for over a decade. He’s heard boos. He’s read criticism. He’s dealt with the noise.
But his wife receiving death threats? That’s not noise. That’s a crisis.
Nina Westbrook’s message is clear: the gambling culture that leagues have embraced isn’t just about money.