The National Basketball Association (NBA) has agreed deals with Kalshi and Polymarket, firmly making the jump into the prediction markets scene.
A set of agreements were announced yesterday, forming a comprehensive framework for NBA-related prediction markets. The deal also includes an extension to its relationship with DraftKings to cover sports trading as well as sports betting – the leading US sportsbook was the second operator to launch a prediction markets product in December last year.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has also been established between the NBA and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ensure integrity is maintained within the agreement.
NBA leaves NFL as the only outlier
It marks the NBA’s first major push into the scene, and follows similar moves by the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Major Soccer League (MLS). The NHL signed an agreement with Kalshi and Polymarket in October 2025, while the MLS signed a deal with Polymarket in January 2026.
The National Football League (NFL) is now the only major North American sports league to have not agreed a deal with a company in the predictions market industry. That league has still signed several partnerships with traditional gambling companies, including a recent one with Midnite in the UK and Ireland.
This deal with Kalshi, Polymarket and DraftKings’ predictions operations (within its ‘Super App’) marks a shift in mentality for the NBA, which warned last year that the sector poses “significant integrity risks”.
The push for integrity standards is then likely a factor which has led to the MOU, which mandates surveillance data sharing and regulatory cooperation to investigate suspicious trading activities.
Of note, the framework establishes limits on permissible event contracts – specifically restricting vulnerable player prop markets, such as individual athlete performance or injury-related contracts, to prevent manipulation and harassment.
The three operators will also gain marketing and promotional rights across US media channels, while having access to official branding and IP rights.
It makes Kalshi and Polymarket “preferred prediction market exchanges” of the NBA, while FanDuel and other predictions platforms are set to have deals signed or extended in the near future.
Agreement comes after key stars create talking points
The deal follows high profile NBA players, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, signing sponsorship agreements with Polymarket and Kalshi.
In contrast, another NBA star, Victor Wembanyama, recently stated that he will never partner with or endorse sports betting or prediction market companies.
However, the league itself will press on in involving itself in the predictions space – with the key focus being integrity.
“Protecting the integrity of the game is our top priority,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Head of Media Distribution and Partnerships.
“As this category develops, we believe it is important to work constructively with regulators and operators to help ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.
“These partnerships represent an important step in establishing a framework that creates new opportunities to engage our fans.”