WNBA evaluating prediction market partnerships after NBA strikes deals with Kalshi and Polymarket
The WNBA told Front Office Sports it is actively assessing the commercial opportunity presented by prediction markets, following the NBA's announcement of partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket earlier in the week. The league's potential deals would be negotiated separately, as WNBA rights and intellectual property were not automatically included in the NBA's agreements. Kalshi has expressed interest in partnering with the WNBA, though no deal has been confirmed, and several other platforms declined to comment or did not respond. The WNBA Players Association has called on the league to engage in meaningful dialogue with the union before proceeding, noting that players have a central stake in any such decision.
We would hope the WNBA engages in meaningful dialogue with the union before moving forward in this direction. The players are central stakeholders in the game, and their voices and perspectives should be an essential part of these conversations.
Why it matters
For service providers: Any WNBA prediction market deal would be structured separately from NBA agreements, creating distinct rights and data-licensing opportunities for platforms to negotiate.
For brands: Prediction market platforms, particularly Kalshi, are actively seeking WNBA partnerships that would grant access to league IP and data, representing a new commercial category for potential sponsors.
For athletes: WNBA players have raised concerns about threats and harassment tied to sports betting, and the players association is seeking a seat at the table before any prediction market deal is finalized.
Read the full story at Front Office Sports
Sources
- Front Office Sports · Colin Salao and Ben Horney: WNBA ‘Assessing’ Possibility of Prediction Market Deals
- Yahoo Sports: WNBA ‘Assessing’ Possibility of Prediction Market Deals
- Yahoo Sports: Philadelphia 76ers announce Kalshi deal, becoming first NBA team to partner with prediction market
- Awful Announcing · Megan Armstrong: Philadelphia 76ers announce Kalshi deal, becoming first NBA team to partner with prediction market