San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said Thursday during training camp that he would never endorse a sports betting or gambling platform.
“Absolutely not,” Wembanyama said when asked about a possible celebrity 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 said he gauges potential sponsorships on whether they align with his values. In the past, money was a consideration for accepting a deal, he said, but not anymore.
His branding now apparently doesn’t include companies that are in the gaming industry. Wembanyama said he has nixed deals in the past that would have paid more than some of the sponsorships he now has in place.
“Obviously, we earn millions and millions,” he said. “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 company endorsements stands in contrast to other big-name athletes. Several have added their celebrity backing to betting brands since the Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting outside Nevada in 2018.
Lebron James signed a deal with DraftKings to make football picks in 2024 and recently became a representative of Polymarket. Miami Heat power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant are both investors in Kalshi.
Moreover, Durant has a partnership with FanDuel through his media company called Boardroom. In the wake of Wembanyama’s comments, media questioned Durant on the deal. Unlike the Spurs center, Durant said he “didn’t think about” the morality of a gambling deal.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic became the first ambassador for European sportsbook Superbet in 2023. The NBA doesn’t allow players or coaches to publicly discuss betting on the league’s games, but that doesn’t include other leagues.
In Ontario, Canada, athletes can only present responsible gaming messaging. Two-time NHL MVP Connor McDavid scored a partnership with BetMGM for those types of ads in December.
Athletes in other sports have added sports betting brands to their sponsorship portfolios. Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau reached a multi-year deal with DraftKings in 2020. NASCAR driver Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 BetMGM Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing as part of a multi-year partnership.
International soccer offers players the opportunity to engage with betting operators in differing countries. That includes in the poker arena. Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. have both represented PokerStars and other global betting platforms. American goalkeeper Tim Howard also reps BetMGM.
In the ring, MMA fighter Connor McGregor sports a Polymarket deal and WWE wrestlers Drew McIntyre and also Tiffany Stratton have represented sweepstakes operator Chumba Casino.
Former Athletes Grab Deals
Retired athletes have also taken advantage of getting paid to promote gaming brands. In 2020, Michael Jordan accepted a role with DraftKings.
Other former NBA players who have represented gambling operators include:
- Charles Barkley (FanDuel and BetMGM)
- Shaquille O’Neal (WynnBET and BetMGM)
- Allen Iverson (DraftKings)
- Kevin Garnett (BetMGM)
In football, former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch entered into a partnership in 2020 with SportsBettingDime. Others inking deals 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 appearing in a responsible gaming campaign. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky signed with BetMGM in 2021.
The growing list of athletes signing deals with betting operators comes as betting scandals have rocked professional sports leagues recently. Federal authorities arrested numerous suspects in October for an alleged sports rigging scheme involving former Charlotte Hornet and Boston Celtic Terry Rozier and also former NBA journeyman and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones.
This followed former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter pleading guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024. Porter was involved with a similar betting scheme and received a lifetime ban from the NBA.
