Wembanyama declines sports betting promotions

Stance on betting promotions

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama made clear after a training camp workout Thursday that he has no interest in promoting sports betting sites. He said he would never take that path and finds it unfortunate when other players do so, while still allowing that each person makes personal choices.

How he chooses brands

Asked how he decides which brands to back, Wembanyama explained that money once played a larger role but no longer drives those calls. He has turned down far more compensation than he has accepted when offers conflicted with his values. He now looks for partners that create positive impact and influence so he can share messages and principles. He noted that players already earn millions and that their real strength lies in inspiration, which he wants to use in a constructive way.

Peers and league rules

Several other NBA players currently promote sportsbooks or prediction platforms. LeBron James moved from DraftKings to Polymarket in September. Kevin Durant works with FanDuel and is an investor in Kalshi. Giannis Antetokounmpo became a Kalshi shareholder in February. Nikola Jokic became the first brand ambassador for Superbet in Serbia in 2023. Under the NBA collective bargaining agreement, sports betting operators and prediction markets are treated the same for player deals. Players may not promote betting on any NBA-related market, though they can endorse companies and hold limited equity subject to restrictions.

Wembanyama, 22, begins his fourth season after the Spurs reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. The two-time All-Star was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year last season and led the league in blocks for a third consecutive year. He finished third in MVP voting.