NBA partners with Kalshi and Polymarket on prediction markets

The deal bars league and team personnel from trading NBA contracts and requires platforms to share information on suspicious activity.

Key takeaways:

• The NBA named Kalshi and Polymarket its Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges and signed a memorandum of understanding with the CFTC.
• Authorised NBA-related markets must meet integrity requirements: limits on the contracts platforms can offer, a ban on league and team personnel trading NBA event contracts, and obligations to share information on investigations and suspicious trading.
• Sportradar, the league’s official data distribution partner, will supply official NBA data to operate and settle authorised markets.

U.S.- The National Basketball Association (NBA) has established a framework for prediction markets linked to the league. It’s named Kalshi and Polymarket as its Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges and signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

The contracts set out integrity requirements for authorised NBA-related markets, including limits on the contracts platforms can offer, a prohibition on league and team personnel trading NBA event contracts, and obligations to share information about investigations and suspicious trading activity.

“Protecting the integrity of the game is our top priority,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, the NBA’s head of media distribution and partnerships. He added that the league wanted to work with regulators and operators to establish safeguards as the sector develops.

The NBA’s agreements grant Kalshi and Polymarket rights to use league intellectual property, as well as marketing opportunities and promotional activations across US media channels. The platforms will receive NBA data from Sportradar, the league’s official data distribution partner, to operate and settle authorised markets linked to NBA events.

“Announcing our partnership with the NBA is a significant milestone,” said Adam Barrick, Head of Sports Partnerships at Kalshi. “The relationship we’ve built together reflects a shared mindset that prioritises fan engagement, innovation and safety. We believe in markets that are fair, safe, and open; it’s why millions of people are coming to Kalshi to trade with nationwide consumer protections. It’s an exciting time for both NBA fans and Kalshi users.”

Ari Borod, President, Sports Business Development at Polymarket, added: “The NBA is one of the most influential sports leagues in the world, and we’re excited to work together to bring fans closer to the game. This partnership will allow our customers to engage more deeply with the game of basketball on Polymarket. We look forward to partnering with the NBA on establishing a safe, transparent prediction market ecosystem for everyone.”

The league said it plans to broaden its relationships with other existing sports betting partners, as well as additional industry participants, in the coming weeks. All authorised prediction market operator partnerships will include integrity obligations tailored to prediction markets and restrictions aligned with the NBA’s latest sports betting rules, it said.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• What do Kalshi and Polymarket get from the deal? Rights to use league intellectual property, marketing and promotional opportunities across U.S. media channels, and official NBA data from Sportradar to operate and settle authorised markets.
• Will other platforms join? The NBA says it plans to broaden its relationships with other official sports betting partners and additional industry participants in the coming weeks, with integrity obligations tailored to prediction markets.