Overview
- Antetokounmpo announced he became a Kalshi shareholder through his company Ante Inc., with plans to appear at live events and in marketing, while financial terms were not disclosed.
- Kalshi said the active Bucks star is prohibited from trading on any NBA-related markets under rules intended to prevent insider trading and market manipulation.
- In the lead-up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline, Kalshi hosted heavy trading on Antetokounmpo’s future with reported volume around $23 million before he ultimately remained with Milwaukee.
- The announcement drew immediate criticism from fans and commentators over potential conflicts of interest, and the NBA has not publicly commented; the league previously sought CFTC guidance on integrity safeguards for prediction markets.
- On the same day as the partnership news, a Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop offering sports event contracts in the state within 30 days, and the company appealed as it contests other state actions in New Jersey, Maryland, and Nevada.