Wemby won't promote betting sites: 'I want to inspire in a good way'

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  Michael C. WrightOct 1, 2026, 03:00 PM ET

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  • Joined ESPN in 2010
  • Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com
  • Played college football at West Texas A&M

SAN ANTONIO -- Count Spurs star Victor Wembanyama as one of the professional athletes that isn't interested in promoting sports betting sites.

The Frenchman expressed his view on the subject Thursday after a training camp workout.

"Absolutely not," Wembanyama said when asked if he'd ever consider promoting a sports betting website. "I will never do that. Honestly, I think it's very sad to see some players promote it. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me."

Wembanyama was subsequently asked how he makes decisions about which brands to promote.

"In the past, there was a dimension of money," he said. "Not anymore. Even if I said that, I've refused plenty, much, much more money than I've made for things that were not [in line with] my values. And now, I want to promote things that have a good impact, have a good influence with who I can share messages and values. Obviously, we earn millions and millions. This is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. I want to inspire in a good way. That's the strongest thing I can do."

Several of Wembanyama's NBA peers currently promote sportsbooks and prediction platforms, including LeBron James, who moved from DraftKings to Polymarket in September, Kevin Durant (FanDuel), who is also an investor in Kalshi and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who became a shareholder at Kalshi back in February.

"The internet is full of opinions," Antetokounmpo wrote in a since-deleted post on X, announcing the move. "I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I'm joining Kalshi as a shareholder."

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, in 2023, became the first brand ambassador of Superbet in Serbia.

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement treats sports betting operators and prediction markets the same when it comes down to player partnerships. Players aren't allowed to promote betting on any market related to the NBA. But they are allowed to endorse and hold de minimis equity investments in sports betting companies with some restrictions.

Wembanyama, meanwhile, enters his fourth season in the league coming off San Antonio's first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2014. The two-time All-Star last season became the first player to unanimously win NBA Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in blocks for the third-consecutive season.

Wembanyama, 22, finished third last season in voting for NBA MVP.