**NBA and NFL Warn Players of Growing Threat from International Crime Rings**

Recent warnings from both the NBA and NFL have urged players to protect their valuables against increasingly sophisticated and organized transnational crime rings. According to a memo obtained by NBC News, the NBA's senior vice president and chief security officer, Leon Newsome, relayed concerns from FBI briefings to league presidents and general managers. These concerns mirror similar cautions issued by the NFL earlier this week.

The memos come in response to a string of bold home invasions targeting high-profile athletes. Recent victims include Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr., and Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. These incidents have heightened security awareness within these major sports leagues.

The FBI has identified "transnational South American Theft Groups (SATGs)" as the culprits behind these crimes. According to Newsome, these SATGs exhibit a high level of organization and sophistication, employing advanced techniques such as pre-surveillance, drone usage, and signal jamming devices. The primary targets for these crime rings are cash and luxury items that can be easily resold on the black market, including jewelry, watches, and designer bags.

One alarming detail noted by the FBI is that many of the invaded homes had alarm systems that were either not activated or not present at all. Additionally, the majority of these homes were unoccupied at the time of the incidents, and few had dogs that could serve as deterrents.

To mitigate these risks, the NFL has advised its players to exercise caution when sharing information about their whereabouts, homes, and valuable possessions on social media. The league emphasized the importance of situational awareness, online safety practices, and effective home security measures to reduce the likelihood of becoming targets.

Both leagues continue to work closely with the FBI and other security experts to better protect their players from these transnational threats. As the situation evolves, players and teams are being urged to take proactive steps to safeguard their homes and assets.