Kalshi Joins Philadelphia 76ers as Official Partner
The Philadelphia 76ers have become the first NBA franchise to add Kalshi as an official partner, part of a multi-year agreement between the two organizations. This follows a similar partnership between the NBA’s own alliances with Kalshi and Polymarket, a nod to the fact that these types of arrange…
The Philadelphia 76ers have become the first NBA franchise to add Kalshi as an official partner, part of a multi-year agreement between the two organizations. This follows a similar partnership between the NBA’s own alliances with Kalshi and Polymarket, a nod to the fact that these types of arrangements are now acceptable. Philadelphia 76ers and Kalshi Forge Groundbreaking Alliance From the NBA’s point of view, the alliance is forged in order to strengthen the league’s ability to monitor data in order to detect aberrations in betting patterns, pointing to corruption in the sport. However, the league and the prediction market platforms also have a commercial understanding, allowing the companies to tap into NBA signage and branding. As part of the new partnership, Kalshi will fund the postgame SEPTA rides for 76ers fans who attended the game against the Knicks on Friday, October 30. The partnership will focus on fan engagement, featuring various activations, such as allowing fans to win free merchandise and concessions. However, this is not the first time prediction market companies have courted the 76ers, as previously, Polymarket teamed up with the 76ers’ LeBron James in a $15-million deal. This is more than James’ $7.9-million deal with the 76ers. The fact that the NBA has already announced a tie-up with Kalshi and Polymarket, and now an NBA franchise is moving to secure such an alliance on its own, means that the association is happy with prediction markets in its ecosystem. For their part, prediction markets are looking to expand their reach at a time of increasing pushback from states, citing gaming laws as the premise of their opposition. States have been attacking Kalshi and Polymarket, most recently in Utah. The state has filed a criminal complaint and brought Kalshi and its co-founders on felony charges. For its part, Kalshi has argued that it will defeat the allegations of offering illegal gambling locally, as it has already done in other places around the nation. Commenting on the 76ers partnership, however, the company was even more upbeat: “We’re excited to see the NBA engage directly in shaping this future. Safe, responsible innovation requires leagues, exchanges, and regulators to work together. With this partnership, we’re putting that collaboration into practice: official data, stronger integrity protections, and an open marketplace where fans set the prices.”