The NBA has advised its athletes to strengthen their home security measures and consider employing guard dogs following a wave of burglaries targeting professional athletes.
The memo, distributed on Friday and obtained by ABC News, follows high-profile break-ins involving NBA players Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs
Homes targeted while Athletes are away
According to the league memo, many of the burglarized homes had alarm systems that were not activated at the time of the thefts. Police believe the athletes were targeted based on their game schedules, ensuring their homes were unoccupied during the break-ins. The thefts have primarily involved cash, jewelry, watches, and handbags—items easily resold on the black market.
The NBA’s memo provided detailed guidance for players to protect their residences. Beyond upgrading home security systems and keeping alarms activated, players were urged to:
- Remove real estate listings and home photos from public websites.
- Use guard dogs for home protection.
- Vet contractors and workers with access to their homes.
Sophisticated criminal networks suspected
Law enforcement and the FBI suspect that the burglaries are the work of organized South American theft groups. These networks are described as “well-organized and sophisticated,” employing advanced surveillance techniques, drones, and signal-jamming devices to execute their heists.
A growing threat to athletes and luxury homeowners
The recent burglaries reflect a broader trend targeting high-profile individuals, including professional athletes. The NBA’s memo serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive security measures in protecting against these increasingly sophisticated thefts.
Players are encouraged to heed the recommendations to safeguard their homes, particularly given the targeted nature of these crimes. As the memo underscores, staying vigilant is critical: “Activating alarms and minimizing public exposure of personal residences can make all the difference.”
