San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has declared he will never endorse a sports betting company. Following a training camp workout on Thursday, Wembanyama said he finds it "very sad to see some players promote it."
Wembanyama explained that his approach to sponsorships has evolved, with personal values now taking precedence over financial considerations. He stated, "I want to inspire in a good way. That’s the strongest thing I can do."
This stance contrasts with several prominent NBA players who have relationships with sportsbooks or prediction-market companies. LeBron James has partnered with Polymarket and previously worked with DraftKings, while Kevin Durant has a deal with FanDuel and is an investor in Kalshi. Giannis Antetokounmpo also became a Kalshi shareholder this year, and Nikola Jokić has been an ambassador for Superbet since 2023.
NBA players are permitted to endorse sports betting companies under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, with restrictions that prevent them from promoting wagering on NBA-related markets.