San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama said he will never endorse a sports betting company, taking issue with fellow players who promote them.
- Wembanyama said he now chooses partnerships based on his values rather than money.
- Sports betting is not legal in Texas.
- NBA stars, including LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and others, have partnered with or invested in betting and prediction market companies.
Wembanyama, 22, spoke to the media after a training camp workout Thursday as the Western Conference champions look to take one last step toward an NBA title.
But as sports betting becomes further entrenched in professional sports, Wembanyama is keeping his eyes fixed on the court.
“Absolutely not,” he said when asked if he’d ever partner with a sports betting company. “I will never do that. Honestly, I think it's very sad to see some players promote it, in my opinion. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.”
Victor Wembanyama was asked if he would ever sign a deal with a sports betting company: “Absolutely not. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it.” pic.twitter.com/foorjwznDq
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 1, 2026
Wembanyama has partnered with a variety of global brands, including Nike, Louis Vuitton, 2K Sports, and Fanatics, among others.
When asked how he decides which brands to promote, he said he now works with companies that align with his values.
“In the past, there was a dimension of money,” he said. “Not anymore. Even if I say that, I've refused plenty, much, much more money than I've made for things that were not my values.
“Now, I want to promote things that have a good impact, have a good influence with who I can share messages and values. One thing that is very important - obviously, we earn millions and millions (but) this is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. We can inspire in a good or a bad way. I want to inspire in a good way. That's the strongest thing I can do.”
NBA, betting grow closer
Some estimates value the global sports betting market at more than $120 billion in 2026. Wagering is legal in 39 states and Washington, D.C., as of September 2026, and many leagues - including the NBA - have official sports betting partners.
The rise of prediction platforms has also introduced a new crowd of traders. Users buy and sell contracts tied to outcomes, with prices changing based on trading activity in a peer-to-peer market rather than the house-set odds used by traditional sportsbooks.
Several NBA stars have partnered with or invested in sports betting and prediction market companies. LeBron James moved from a DraftKings partnership to Polymarket in September for a reported $15 million annually, while Kevin Durant has partnered with FanDuel and invested in Kalshi. Nikola Jokic became Superbet’s first brand ambassador in Serbia in 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo became a Kalshi shareholder in February, and Devin Booker teamed up with Kalshi ahead of March Madness.
“The internet is full of opinions,” Antetokounmpo wrote in an announcement on X confirming his move to Kalshi, which was later deleted. “I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I'm joining Kalshi as a shareholder.”
The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement permits players to endorse sports betting companies under strict conditions, including general brand promotion and wagering on non-NBA sports. However, players are strictly prohibited from promoting bets tied to NBA games or receiving compensation linked to NBA wagering activity or game outcomes.
Texas, home to Wembanyama’s Spurs, is one of the few states that has not legalized sports betting. Sports prediction markets have expanded across state lines under the federal derivatives framework overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, prompting challenges from state officials who argue some sports contracts fall under state gambling laws.
Wembanyama finished third in MVP voting last year. The Spurs finished second in the Western Conference at 62-20 and beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals before falling to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
