NBA names Kalshi and Polymarket as preferred prediction market partners

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced a series of agreements designed to establish a comprehensive framework for NBA-related prediction markets, including partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Under the agreements, Kalshi and Polymarket have been designated as the league’s Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges, with both platforms gaining access to official NBA data, intellectual property and marketing opportunities in the United States.

The partnerships introduce integrity protections covering NBA-related prediction markets, including restrictions on permissible markets, prohibitions on league and team personnel trading NBA event contracts, and requirements to share information relating to investigations and suspicious trading activity.

“Protecting the integrity of the game is our top priority,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Head of Media Distribution & Partnerships. “As this category develops, we believe it is important to work constructively with regulators and operators to help ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. These partnerships represent an important step in establishing a framework that creates new opportunities to engage our fans.”

The NBA’s MOU with the CFTC establishes cooperation and information-sharing arrangements relating to prediction markets. The agreement is intended to support regulatory oversight and integrity protections as the sector develops.

As Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges, Kalshi and Polymarket will receive rights to use NBA intellectual property, alongside marketing rights and promotional activations across US media channels. Both platforms will also receive official NBA data through Sportradar, the league’s Official Data Distribution Partner, to operate and settle authorised NBA-related markets.

“Announcing our partnership with the NBA is a significant milestone,” said Adam Barrick, Head of Sports Partnerships at Kalshi. “The relationship we’ve built together reflects a shared mindset that prioritizes fan engagement, innovation and safety. We believe in markets that are fair, safe, and open – it’s why millions of people are coming to Kalshi to trade with nationwide consumer protections. It’s an exciting time for both NBA fans and Kalshi users.”

Ari Borod, President, Sports Business Development at Polymarket, added: “The NBA is one of the most influential sports leagues in the world, and we’re excited to work together to bring fans closer to the game. This partnership will allow our customers to engage more deeply with the game of basketball on Polymarket. We look forward to partnering with the NBA on establishing a safe, transparent prediction market ecosystem for everyone.”

The NBA has also expanded its existing agreement with DraftKings to include prediction markets and nationwide promotional rights.

The league expects to extend similar arrangements to other existing official sports betting partners and additional companies operating in the prediction markets sector in the coming weeks.

All Authorised Prediction Market Operator agreements will incorporate enhanced integrity obligations specific to prediction markets, alongside restrictions aligned with the NBA’s latest sports betting policies.