Victor Conte, Architect of Sports Steroid Scandal, Passes Away at 75

Wed Nov 19 2025 09:08:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Victor Conte, the controversial figure behind the steroid distribution network that rocked professional sports, has died at the age of 75. Best known for supplying performance-enhancing drugs to high-profile athletes, his legacy remains a contentious part of sports history.

Victor Conte, the founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), died at 75. He was instrumental in a major doping scandal that involved numerous elite athletes, including Barry Bonds and Marion Jones. Conte's actions led to federal investigations, convictions, and significant changes to anti-doping regulations. After serving prison time, he returned to the nutrition business and remained a polarizing figure, championing both clean sports and the controversial practices he once endorsed.

Victor Conte, the architect of a scheme to provide undetectable performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes, has died at the age of 75. His death was announced by SNAC System, the sports nutrition company he founded, although the cause has not been disclosed.

Conte's notorious role in the doping scandal began with his company, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), which became synonymous with drug trafficking in sports. Federal investigations linked BALCO to high-profile athletes like Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and Jason Giambi, resulting in convictions that shook the sports world.

Conte served four months in federal prison for dealing steroids and later discussed his former clients openly, portraying himself as a figure who merely helped athletes level the playing field amidst widespread cheating. His public statements and media appearances often turned the spotlight back on the athletes, as he revealed details of their drug use without fully implicating them.

The fallout from the scandal led to significant changes in how doping violations are handled in sports. Following the release of the book “Game of Shadows” and the findings of the Mitchell Report, the baseball community faced intense scrutiny over its steroid culture.

After exiting prison, Conte relaunched his nutritional supplement business, SNAC System, indicating a complex perspective on his past. While he claimed to have become an advocate for anti-doping, many viewed him as a controversial figure who thrived amidst the very culture of doping he was implicated in.

Conte's influence seemed to persist even after his return to business, as he remained a vocal figure in discussions about doping in sports. He maintained that his past decisions made him uniquely qualified to help improve anti-doping measures.

In addition to his controversial legacy in professional sports, Conte was also known as a musician, having briefly played with the funk band Tower of Power in the late 1970s. His contributions to music and sports were acknowledged in tributes following his passing.

As reactions to his death continue to unfold, many remember Conte not just as a drug dealer but as a complicated figure who left an indelible mark on the landscape of professional athletics.