NCAA investigates University of Tennessee student worker over Kalshi sports contract
The incident comes as the NCAA continues urging federal regulators to prohibit event contracts linked to college sports.
U.S.- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has opened an investigation into a student worker at the University of Tennessee (UT) after he placed a sports-related contract on Kalshi. The case was uncovered through a joint investigation with the university’s compliance department and has been classified as a Level III violation, the least severe category under NCAA rules.
The employee placed a single Super Bowl contract while working in UT’s sports information department. He cooperated throughout the process and, given the mitigating circumstances, is expected to receive only minor sanctions.
He told investigators he opened the Kalshi account as a favour for a friend who wanted to claim the platform’s US$ 25 referral bonus. After receiving US$ 40 to fund the account and place the contract, he deleted the account and returned the remaining balance.
NCAA continues campaign against prediction markets
NCAA regulations prohibit student-athletes and athletic department personnel from wagering on sporting events. Enforcement actions have seen Iona guard Adam Njie Jr. banned over gambling-related violations uncovered during an investigation involving more than 30 players.
The latest case highlighted the NCAA’s disagreement with prediction market operators over the legal status of sports event contracts. During the inquiry, the employee said he believed platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket were not covered by the NCAA’s gambling ban because they operate as federally regulated event contract exchanges overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The NCAA has repeatedly challenged that interpretation. In January, it urged the CFTC to stop allowing contracts tied to college sports, arguing they increase the risk of harassment, match-fixing and pressure on athletes and staff to disclose inside information.
