Philadelphia 76ers Become First NBA Team to Partner With Kalshi

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Mon Nov 02, 2026, 9:00 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Philadelphia 76ers Become First NBA Team to Partner With Kalshi

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The Philadelphia 76ers have become the first NBA franchise to sign an official team-level partnership with Kalshi.

The multi-year agreement names the prediction market operator the team's Official Prediction Market Partner. It also introduces promotional campaigns and new fan engagement opportunities across Philadelphia.

The deal follows the NBA's recent partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket. Both platforms received Preferred Prediction Market Exchange designations on October 26, 2026.

Consequently, Philadelphia's agreement marks another step in bringing prediction markets closer to individual NBA franchises.

Kalshi Introduces New Fan Engagement Opportunities in Philadelphia

The partnership gives Kalshi access to the 76ers' fanbase through several promotional channels. These include arena advertising, digital content, social media and the team's mobile application.

The companies also plan several interactive initiatives. For example, Kalshi funded SEPTA transportation for fans attending Philadelphia's October 30 game against the New York Knicks. 

The partnership also introduces the Sixers Posters series, featuring digital artwork from Philadelphia-based artists.

Another initiative, Beat the Pro, offers fans an opportunity to compete in a virtual game. Selected participants can advance to an on-court competition with a $76,000 prize. 

Additionally, Kalshi customers can access rewards through the 76ers' mobile application, including merchandise and concessions.

Owen Morin, the 76ers' Chief Revenue Officer of Partnerships, explained the reasoning behind the agreement.

"With Kalshi's new league-wide relationship with the NBA, we saw an opportunity to build a first-of-its-kind team partnership focused on delivering new content, creativity and engagement for 76ers fans," Morin said.

However, the announcement also attracted criticism from some fans. Social media reactions questioned whether prediction market partnerships align with the NBA's commitment to competitive integrity.

Others expressed concern about the league's growing commercial ties to platforms offering contracts on sports and other real-world events.

The franchise already maintains a partnership with BetMGM. Adding Kalshi therefore expands its commercial relationships across both traditional sports betting and prediction markets.

Kalshi and Polymarket Expand Their NBA Presence

The 76ers' agreement builds on the NBA's broader move into prediction markets. On October 26, the league announced separate partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket.

Both companies became Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges of the NBA. The arrangements also provide opportunities for official data access, marketing activities and league-related promotional content.

The partnerships follow a wider wave of athlete involvement. LeBron James announced his endorsement deal with Polymarket in September 2026. 

Reports indicate that the agreement is worth approximately $15 million annually. James is expected to promote football-related markets rather than NBA contracts.

Other NBA players have also entered the sector. Giannis Antetokounmpo became a Kalshi shareholder, while Kyle Kuzma has also partnered with the platform. 

These developments show how quickly prediction markets are building relationships across professional basketball.

Fans already follow NBA odds and NBA picks through traditional sports betting platforms. However, prediction exchanges introduce another way to trade contracts tied to real-world outcomes. 

Their growing presence also creates greater competition for established US online sportsbooks.

NBA Emphasizes Integrity Amid Growing Criticism

The league's prediction market agreements include measures designed to protect competition integrity. These involve monitoring suspicious trading activity and sharing relevant information with the NBA.

The framework also restricts NBA and team personnel from trading contracts tied to league events. Furthermore, the NBA retains approval rights over authorized markets and expects cooperation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Morin also emphasized the importance of protecting the sport's integrity.

"It really stressed, I think, all of our collective goals, not only the Sixers, the NBA, Kalshi, and others, of really protecting the integrity of the game. The NBA has made that obviously a key priority. That's obviously a focus of ours as well. We know Kalshi believes in it, and so you know, we want to do this in a really safe way, and we believe it's regulated in a way where the integrity is upheld."

Nevertheless, critics question whether these safeguards adequately address the risks. Prediction markets can list contracts involving player performances and other outcomes that may create opportunities for manipulation.

The league's restrictions and monitoring measures will therefore face scrutiny as these partnerships develop.

Regulatory and Tax Questions Remain for Prediction Markets

Beyond integrity concerns, prediction markets face disputes over federal and state oversight. Kalshi operates under federal commodities regulation, while state regulators argue that sports event contracts can function like traditional sports wagers.

This distinction has implications for taxation and consumer protections. Traditional sportsbooks generally require state-specific licenses and pay applicable state gambling taxes. 

Prediction market operators argue that federal oversight places their contracts under a different regulatory framework.

That difference has raised concerns about potential tax advantages and regulatory gaps. Some legal and tax experts question whether prediction market winnings should receive the same treatment as gambling income.

Others highlight uncertainty surrounding reporting requirements, deductions and applicable wagering taxes.

These unresolved issues have fueled criticism that prediction markets could bypass obligations imposed on state-regulated sportsbooks. However, the tax treatment of sports event contracts remains unsettled. The IRS has not issued specific guidance addressing their classification.

The disputes could influence future partnerships between prediction exchanges and professional sports organizations. Meanwhile, the 76ers' agreement gives Kalshi a significant commercial foothold in the NBA.

The partnership marks another stage in prediction markets' expansion across professional basketball. However, regulatory developments, tax clarity and integrity safeguards will remain important as more teams consider similar arrangements.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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