LeBron James now playing for the 76ers is the big story coming out of Philadelphia, but it’s not the only headline. The NBA squad announced a multi-year deal with Kalshi as its official prediction market partner.
With the collaboration, the Sixers are the league’s first team to partner with one of several official prediction markets. The announcement isn’t surprising being that Kalshi and Polymarket have become the preferred prediction market exchanges of the NBA.
The 76ers-Kalshi deal will create new content, experiences and integrations.
A week doesn’t seem to pass lately in which we don’t hear about a state taking legal action against Kalshi.
Instead of joining the fight, pro sports leagues remain focussed on integrity. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, for example, recently told CNBC that the league needs access to prediction market data to better police game integrity.
Earlier this year, MLB named Polymarket its official prediction market exchange. The league also has an information sharing agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Polymarket and Kalshi both have agreements with the NHL.
As of now, the NFL is the only remaining big four pro sports league that has yet to reach deals with one of the prediction market exchanges. Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated the league is taking a more patient approach.
Kalshi is serving as the presenting partner of Sixers Posters, a digital art series that showcases original work from artists and creatives connected to Philadelphia. It highlights Philadelphia as more than a place, but an idea whose impact continues to resonate far beyond the city limits.
Beat the Pro is a season-long fan engagement platform where selected fans can compete against a 76ers legend or personality for the chance to win $76,000.
“With Kalshi’s new league-wide relationship with the NBA, we saw an opportunity to build a first-of-its-kind team partnership focused on delivering new content, creativity and engagement for 76ers fans,” Owen Morin, Chief Revenue Officer of Partnerships, Philadelphia 76ers, said.
With there being so much buzz surrounding the current 76ers, Adam Barrick, Kalshi’s Head of Sports Partnerships, said “we couldn’t be more excited to have the 76ers as our first announced team partner.”
“…We look forward to working together in creating a new, innovative and safe way for Philadelphia 76ers fans to engage with the team and players they love,” Barrick said.
When the defending NBA champion New York Knicks played in Philadelphia last month, Kalshi covered the cost of SEPTA’s Free Ride Program, which helped fans get home safely and efficiently following the game.
Some might’ve seen the star-studded “Welcome to Polymarket HQ” commercial featuring James, Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, Sue Bird, Spike Lee, and John Leguizamo with Peter Berg directing it. The Mosquito Bowl and the Netflix miniseries American Primeval are a couple of his recent Hollywood projects.
The TV spot is part of James’ $15M marketing deal with Polymarket that allows him to promote non-basketball sports event contracts. He previously had an endorsement deal with DraftKings Sportsbook and appeared in TV spots with actor/comedian Kevin Hart.
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