Wembanyama will not promote betting sites: 'I want to inspire in a positive way'
Victor Wembanyama , of the Spurs, rejects promoting betting sites and prioritizes values and a positive impact on NBA, contrasting with athlete agreements.
Context: the relationship of NBA to sports betting
LeBron James migrated from DraftKings to Polymarket in September. Kevin Durant is associated with FanDuel and also an investor in Kalshi. Giannis Antetokounmpo became a shareholder of the company in February.
The collective bargaining agreement of the NBA treats sports betting operators and prediction markets in the same way with respect to partnerships with players.
What Wembanyama said
Victor Wembanyama , star of San Antonio Spurs , stated his position on Thursday after a pre-season workout. Asked if he would consider promoting a sports betting website, he was blunt: "Absolutely not. I will never do that. Honestly, I think it's very sad to see some players promote this. Everyone does what they want but without me".
Asked about how he decides which brands to promote, the Frenchman explained that the criteria have changed. "In the past there was a money dimension. No more. Even though I said this, I've already refused much, much more money than I earned for things that were not in line with my values. Now I want to promote things that have good impact, good influence, with whom I can share messages and values. Obviously we earn millions and millions. That is not our greatest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. Inspire positively. This is the strongest thing I can do".
Previous reactions and positions
Antigiannis Antetokounmpo, when announcing his entry into Kalshi as a shareholder in February, wrote in a now deleted post on X: " internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to have some of my own. Today, I am joining Kalshu as a stockholder".
Wembanyama did not name names, but his speech contrasts with that of colleagues who maintain agreements with bookmakers and forecasting platforms.
Wembanyama's moment in his career
The 22-year-old Wembanyama is entering his fourth season in the league coming off San Antonio's first playoff appearance since 2009.NBA2014 Last season, he was unanimously voted Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award that way after leading the League in blocks for a third consecutive season.
What that means for the fans
Wembanyama's refusal to associate his image with betting websites is not just a personal statement. At a time when theNBA and its players are navigating a regulatory landscape that separates endorsements of bets in markets from league minority investments, the Frenchman's stance reinforces a line he himself has drawn: prioritizing influence and values over additional financial gains.
== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man
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