NFL, NBA send security warnings to teams after Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce’s homes burglarized

By Dianna Russini, Larry Holder, Alex Andrejev and David Aldridge

The NFL sent a memo to teams from the league’s security branch earlier this week warning about the threat of burglary groups targeting the homes of professional athletes. The Athletic obtained a copy of the memo.

This alert comes after burglaries at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce last month. Two law enforcement officials told NBC News the FBI is working with local agencies to determine whether the recent burglaries are connected to a transnational crime syndicate. Per NBC’s report Wednesday, there has been no determination about who is responsible and the investigation is ongoing.

“The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups,” the NFL’s memo said. “Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes’ homes on game days.”

The memo also included ways the groups survey players’ whereabouts and explained methods of entry into homes. The league security team provided recommendations regarding the use of social media, including avoiding posting images of expensive items or comments about hotel accommodations. The memo also spelled out methods of home security.

The NFL issued this security alert to clubs to tell their players and staff about “organized and skilled” criminals increasingly targeting professional athletes’ homes. pic.twitter.com/EoArE8dTw0

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 21, 2024

Mahomes addressed the incident involving his home last Wednesday, calling it “frustrating” and “disappointing.”

“I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing,” he said. “But obviously something that you don’t want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself.”

Officers responded to a reported burglary shortly after midnight on Oct. 6 at Mahomes’ estate in Belton, Mo., according to a police report from the Cass County, Mo. Sheriff’s Office. Mahomes is not identified in the report, but the address listed matches public records for the three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback.

A day after the reported burglary at Mahomes’ home, another reported burglary occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 at a residence in Leawood, Kan., believed to belong to Kelce, according to a Leawood Police Department offense report. The Chiefs beat the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium in a “Monday Night Football” game that night with Taylor Swift, Kelce’s girlfriend, in attendance.

The police report for the incident indicated that $20,000 in cash was taken and that there was $1,000 worth of damage to a rear door.

A spokesperson for the Leawood Police Department declined to provide additional details, saying the department does not release victim information except in cases of fatalities, crashes and homicides.

NBA issues similar memo

NBA teams received a similar memo from NBA Security Thursday evening.

Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis’ home in River Hills, Wisc., was robbed Nov. 2 while Portis was out of his home and playing about 20 miles south, in downtown Milwaukee, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In an Instagram post, the veteran forward offered $40,000 to anyone with information “that leads to the return of my stolen items.” WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported Wednesday that local law enforcement authorities noted “striking similarities” between the Portis, Mahomes and Kelce robberies.

Police in River Hills told the TV station that they’re working with police in Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, Jr.’s home was burglarized in Septemberin the Minneapolis suburb of Medina, while the veteran guard attended a Minnesota Vikings home game.

The NBA said its security department received a briefing from the FBI “that connected many of the home burglaries to transnational South American Theft Groups (SATGs). These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices. The SATGs are primarily focused on cash and teams that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury bags.”

The FBI told the NBA that, “in most of the incidents, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated. The FBI also reported that the homes were all unoccupied and, in most cases, no dogs were present.”

The NBA recommended that players:

• Install updated alarm systems with cameras, and activate them whenever they leave home;
• Test their alarm systems regularly;
• Use locked safes either secured to the floor or installed by professionals to secure valuables in their homes;
• Remove real estate listings with interior photos of their homes from publicly accessible websites;
• Use protective guard services to patrol their homes if they’re going to be away for extended periods;
• Use dogs for home protection;
• Vet contractors doing work in or around their homes;
• Report people or vehicles “that appear to be out of place” to law enforcement.

Required reading

(Photo: Brooke Sutton / Getty Images)