Published on: February 9, 2026, 03:20h.
Updated on: February 9, 2026, 03:20h.
- NFL prohibits players from investing in prediction markets
- Decision follows reports of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s investment in Kalshi
Unlike NBA players, NFL athletes are barred from making financial investments in prediction market platforms.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy verified this in a message to Pro Football Talk, which published the information just prior to the Super Bowl. The communication does not specify the reasons behind this prohibition.
The announcement coincided with news that Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo acquired a stake in Kalshi. It’s uncertain if the NFL’s decision relates to Antetokounmpo’s investment, which has not been disclosed publicly.
Kalshi stated that the two-time MVP will be restricted from trading any NBA-related contracts on its platform as he is an active player. The prediction market prohibits athletes from trading derivatives associated with their sports leagues.
NFL’s Concerns Regarding Prediction Markets
Interestingly, the Pro Football Talk article surfaced a day after DraftKings announced its DraftKings Predictions division is collaborating with Crypto.com to provide player-specific event contracts linked to NFL and NBA players.
With the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season following the Super Bowl, potential issues related to prediction market betting may not be an immediate concern. However, the league has previously expressed apprehensions about yes/no prediction platforms.
It is important to note that the NFL has raised questions regarding how prediction markets could impact the integrity of games, citing the lack of regulatory frameworks comparable to those of sportsbook operators, which include some of the NFL’s partners.
Other professional leagues view matters differently. The NHL maintains marketing agreements with both Kalshi and Polymarket, while Major League Soccer (MLS) has also recently established a partnership with Polymarket.
Is the NFL Excluding Itself from Prediction Market Investments?
It remains unclear whether the NFL plans to restrict its own ability to invest in prediction markets, which is a notion worth contemplating, given the league’s substantial financial interest in at least one entity within the regulated wagering sphere.
Additionally, it is unknown if this prediction market ban extends to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA)—the union representing the players. The NFLPA has a history of investing in various wagering-related companies.
League policies indicate that team owners can hold up to a 5% equity interest in regulated sports betting firms, but it is still undetermined whether these owners can invest directly in companies like Kalshi and Polymarket.