It's been a hectic few days for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been the hottest name on the trade market leading up to Thursday's trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST.
Despite fielding multiple offers, Milwaukee opted to keep their star, and for now, it seems both the franchise and Antetokounmpo are on the same page.
Antetokounmpo, however, drew some criticism on Friday for an off-the-court decision: he announced he was joining the popular prediction market Kalshi as a shareholder.
"Everyone is online. The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today I'm joining Kalshi as a shareholder. We all on Kalshi now," Antetokounmpo wrote.
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While Kalshi is not exclusively a sports betting platform, NBA fans were not pleased to see Antetokounmpo partnering with the prediction market.
"Should be illegal for a professional athlete to be a shareholder in a gambling site. Adam Silver ruined the NBA," one fan said.
Another added, "A player partnering with a prediction market company? There is no conflict of interest here?"
A third wrote, "Partnered with Kalshi when your own likelihood to get traded can be bet on there - that is wild."
One fan questioned, "How is any league or athlete legally allowed to be affiliated with this… that's an INSANE conflict of interest."
"Not a good look! For someone who cares about image, this is just about the worst thing you can do for your fans. Feeding the addiction of others. Hope it's profitable because it's barely ethical as a current player," another fan commented.
There has been an urgent plea to athletes in recent years regarding sports betting, as several players across multiple leagues have faced suspensions - and in rare, severe cases, outright bans.
Newsweek