Victor Wembanyama just flat out told reporters he’ll *never* partner with a sports gambling or prediction-market site, drawing a hard line that puts him at odds with some of the biggest names in the NBA. This isn’t some quiet statement, either. The Spurs’ star has spent his first three seasons racking up endorsement deals with shoe companies, sports drinks, luxury fashion, and even video games. But when he was asked after Thursday’s practice about teaming up with betting sites, like some of his league peers have? His answer was an emphatic, “Absolutely not. I will never do that.”
Wemby Throws Shade at the NBA’s Big Names
Seriously, Wembanyama isn’t just saying no to the money, he’s basically calling out some heavy hitters without dropping names. You know who he’s talking about. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is a shareholder in Kalshi, a prediction-market app. Houston’s Kevin Durant is a paid spokesman for FanDuel. And let’s not forget Philadelphia’s LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, who just inked a massive $15 million endorsement deal with Polymarket. Wembanyama, who’s only 22, didn’t hold back on what he thinks of those choices. “Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it,” he stated. Under league rules, players *can* endorse these sites, as long as they don’t bet on specific NBA games or entities. So, it’s not a rule-breaking thing, but Wemby clearly sees it as a values thing.
Values Over Millions: Why Wemby Said No
For Wembanyama, this isn’t about the cash. His portfolio is already stacked with brands like Nike, Louis Vuitton, 2K Sports, Fanatics, and Barcode, a sports hydration drink. He even does those beloved H-E-B commercials down in San Antonio. But when it comes to gambling sites, he’s made his decision. He explicitly said, “There was a dimension of money in the past. Not anymore.” And get this, he’s already walked away from huge paydays. “Even as I say that, I’ve refused much, much more money for things that were not to my values,” Wembanyama revealed. He’s all about promoting things with a “good impact, have a good influence in the world.” He’s right, our athletes are huge inspirations. “Obviously we earn millions and millions, but that is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring and we can inspire in a good or a bad way. I want to inspire in a good way.” The Kalshi odds of him ever signing with one of these sites are, as he put it, 0 percent. “Everyone does whatever they want,” he added, “but without me.”
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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