In a world where athletes and teams across the country have been accepting endorsement deals and partnerships with sportsbooks and prediction markets, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is taking another approach.
During a press conference this week, Wembanyama made it clear that he has no intention of ever partnering with a sports betting platform or prediction market, and he’s not pleased to see other players do it.
‘Absolutely not’
During a press conference on Thursday, Wembanyama made it clear where he stands on the issue of sports betting and prediction markets.
“Absolutely not,” Wembanyama said via Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it.”
Wembanyama revealed that he has turned down big endorsement deals in the past that have not aligned with his values.
“Obviously, we earn millions and millions. This is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring, and we can inspire in a good way or a bad way. I want to inspire in a good way. That’s the strongest thing I can do.”
This comes just a few weeks after LeBron James announced a partnership with Polymarket that reportedly pays him more than his salary with the Philadelphia 76ers.
‘Wemby gets it’
It was a strong stand from Wembanyama, and he was quickly praised for it throughout the sports world.
“And the vast majority of NBA fans somehow now find this guy to be unlikable. They could never make me hate you, Wemby,” wrote Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation.
“He just gets it,” wrote Molly Morrison of Sports Illustrated.
“He’s right and he should say it,” wrote Adam Johnson of the Citations Needed podcast.
“Very strong statement and Wemby is taking the opposite path of top NBA stars who profit off sports betting. Obviously, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have promoted sports betting companies, while other players have spoken about the problems betting has caused for them,” wrote Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
“In a time where gambling is becoming a new version of a toxic epidemic in this country, it’s great to see one of the biggest rising stars making a principled stance against promoting it,” wrote longtime San Antonio Spurs reporter Ty Jager.
“Wemby gets it. Need more answers like this,” wrote Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.
Clearly, Wembanyama has earned some supporters by choosing to take a stand in this way.
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