As sports gambling continues to grow in popularity, prediction markets have also taken off in the mainstream.
Prediction markets allow people to trade on real-world events, essentially creating a new way for people to gamble. While these go beyond sports, the markets are certainly popular in a variety of sports, and since they aren't officially sports gambling at the federal level, athletes can invest in them without worrying about their league's gambling rules.
Therefore, many athletes have taken advantage of the loophole to partner with either Polymarket or Kalshi, the two biggest prediction markets at the moment. Here's a look at which current and former athletes have partnered with prediction markets so far.
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Every athlete with a prediction market deal
Polymarket
- LeBron James
- Maria Sharapova
- Eli Manning
- Rajon Rondo
- Derek Jeter
- Reggie Bush
- Sue Bird
In September, LeBron James announced that he agreed to an endorsement deal with Polymarket, becoming the first active athlete to work with the company. Polymarket said that James' deal is focused on football, keeping the NBA star away from its NBA market.
Step inside Polymarket HQ. Somebody get the ice bath ready for @EliManning after that tackle. 🧊🤣🏈 In partnership with Polymarket https://t.co/xfv1nr6OOb
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 8, 2026However, Polymarket does have other deals with retired players like Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, Rajon Rondo, Reggie Bush, Sue Bird and Maria Sharapova, many of whom have appeared in the company's commercials.
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Kalshi
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Lionel Messi
- Breanna Stewart
- Nneka Ogwumike
- Diana Taurasi
- Ajay Mitchell
- Kyle Kuzma
- Jaime Jaquez Jr
- Marshawn Lynch
- Richard Sherman
- Gabriela Jaquez
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Ronald Acuna Jr.
Kalshi received a large swath of investments from athletes to end the year in 2025 and has more deals with athletes than its competitor. The biggest individual deal with Kalshi belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who announced his investment in the company in February.
We all on @Kalshi now https://t.co/cCNGxfLWO8
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 6, 2026Then, Lionel Messi announced his deal with Kalshi in June, right before the start of the World Cup.
Kalshi's investors largely skew towards the NBA and WNBA, with a handful of players in both leagues investing in the company. Kyle Kuzma and Ajay Mitchell represent the NBA, while Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike headline those in the WNBA. According to Front Office Sports, these investments came through Factory Holdings, which is a wealth advisory platform.
As the PGA Tour forbids its players from dealing with prediction markets, LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau is the lone golfer who works with either Kalshi or Polymarket. DeChambeau agreed to an investment deal with Kalshi in January to become the company's first athletic endorsement.
Bryson DeChambeau is partnering with Kalshi, becoming the first athlete to sign with a prediction market. He tells @_DavidRumsey that this could help fans engage more with LIV golf and his YouTube channel. https://t.co/xI0EtkK4TG
— Front Office Sports Tonight (@FOSTonight) January 14, 2026The most recent athlete to partner with Kalshi is Ronald Acuna Jr., who announced his partnership after his MLB season concluded.
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