San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama mentioned Thursday throughout coaching camp that he would by no means endorse a sports activities betting or playing platform.
“Absolutely not,” Wembanyama mentioned when requested a couple of potential superstar sponsorship. “I will never do that. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.”
The 22-year-old two-time All-Star and 2026 Defensive Player of the Year mentioned he gauges potential sponsorships on whether or not they align along with his values. In the previous, cash was a consideration for accepting a deal, he mentioned, however not anymore.
His branding now apparently doesn’t embrace firms which might be within the gaming trade. Wembanyama mentioned he has nixed offers prior to now that may have paid greater than a few of the sponsorships he now has in place.
“Obviously, we earn millions and millions,” he mentioned. “This is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. I want to inspire in a good way. That’s the strongest thing I can do.”
Other NBA Stars Okay With Sports Betting Deals
Wembanyama’s view on accepting gaming firm endorsements stands in distinction to different big-name athletes. Several have added their superstar backing to betting manufacturers for the reason that Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports activities betting exterior Nevada in 2018.
Lebron James signed a take care of DraftKings to make soccer picks in 2024 and not too long ago turned a consultant of Polymarket. Miami Heat energy ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets ahead Kevin Durant are each traders in Kalshi.
Moreover, Durant has a partnership with FanDuel by his media firm referred to as Boardroom. In the wake of Wembanyama’s feedback, media questioned Durant on the deal. Unlike the Spurs middle, Durant mentioned he “didn’t think about” the morality of a gambling deal.
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic turned the primary ambassador for European sportsbook Superbet in 2023. The NBA doesn’t enable gamers or coaches to publicly focus on betting on the league’s video games, however that doesn’t embrace different leagues.
In Ontario, Canada, athletes can solely current accountable gaming messaging. Two-time NHL MVP Connor McDavid scored a partnership with BetMGM for these forms of advertisements in December.
Athletes in different sports activities have added sports activities betting manufacturers to their sponsorship portfolios. Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau reached a multi-year take care of DraftKings in 2020. NASCAR driver Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 BetMGM Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing as a part of a multi-year partnership.
International soccer presents gamers the chance to interact with betting operators in differing international locations. That consists of within the poker enviornment. Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. have each represented PokerStars and different international betting platforms. American goalkeeper Tim Howard additionally reps BetMGM.
In the ring, MMA fighter Connor McGregor sports activities a Polymarket deal and WWE wrestlers Drew McIntyre and likewise Tiffany Stratton have represented sweepstakes operator Chumba Casino.
Former Athletes Grab Deals
Retired athletes have additionally taken benefit of getting paid to advertise gaming manufacturers. In 2020, Michael Jordan accepted a job with DraftKings.
Other former NBA gamers who’ve represented playing operators embrace:
- Charles Barkley (FanDuel and BetMGM)
- Shaquille O’Neal (WynnBET and BetMGM)
- Allen Iverson (DraftKings)
- Kevin Garnett (BetMGM)
In soccer, former Seattle Seahawks working again Marshawn Lynch entered right into a partnership in 2020 with SportsBettingDime. Others inking offers have included:
- Peyton and Eli Manning (Caesars and FanDuel)
- Tom Brady (DraftKings)
- Rob Gronkowski (FanDuel)
- Jerry Rice (DraftKings)
- Barry Sanders (BetMGM)
In baseball, Derek Jeter signed with BetMGM in Canada in 2025. The deal sees the New York Yankees legend showing in a accountable gaming marketing campaign. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky signed with BetMGM in 2021.
The rising checklist of athletes signing offers with betting operators comes as betting scandals have rocked skilled sports activities leagues not too long ago. Federal authorities arrested quite a few suspects in October for an alleged sports activities rigging scheme involving former Charlotte Hornet and Boston Celtic Terry Rozier and likewise former NBA journeyman and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones.
This adopted former Toronto Raptors ahead Jontay Porter pleading responsible in federal court docket to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024. Porter was concerned with an identical betting scheme and obtained a lifetime ban from the NBA.
