LeBron teases Polymarket deal weeks after $8m 76ers pay cut
The NBA’s all-time scorer took a pay cut to $8m over two years with the 76ers before teasing the betting-market tie-up.
The hit
LeBron James posted a 14-second X clip walking into a branded Polymarket office, writing “Welcome to Polymarket HQ. Coming soon. In partnership with @Polymarket.” The clip shows him pressing a “sports” button in an elevator, with floors for politics & crypto also listed. The post went viral for the wrong reasons, with fans accusing him of selling out just after he agreed to a pay-cut deal with the 76ers. Polymarket replied to the post with a goat emoji & a thank you.
Why it matters
James’s deal touches on NBA rules that restrict players from holding financial interests in wagering companies, with the league keeping strict limits on ownership stakes. James has not disclosed his deal’s terms. The backlash tests whether star athletes can carry betting brands without damaging decades-built reputations.
The record
| 76ers contract | $8m over two years, with player option |
|---|---|
| Prior prediction-market deal | Giannis Antetokounmpo partnered with Kalshi earlier this year |
| League-level deals | NHL has signed with both Polymarket & Kalshi |
What happens next
Watch whether James discloses financial terms of the Polymarket deal & whether the NBA reviews it against rules limiting players’ stakes in wagering companies.
Sources: Bing: Polymarket · LeBron James unloads on fans over viral Polymarket post
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