The San Francisco Giants, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox, announced a partnership with prediction market Kalshi last week.
"Kalshi will receive a mix of marketing and brand integration assets, including in-ballpark signage, radio drops, experiential activations, and other promotional opportunities," MLB said of the partnerships in a statement
.
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One week after the announcement, the Giants posted its first Kalshi ad, using a highlight video as subterfuge.
"A bunt, an intentional walk, and an RBI double in extra innings boosted the #SFGiants win probability from 49% to 77%," the Giants posted on X, followed by "Download the Kalshi app to trade what's next," and a Giants-specific link to Kalshi's site.
The Giants' franchise has had a contentious relationship with its local media
all season, and encouraging the 1.6 million fans following the team on X to gamble on the struggling ball club has only exacerbated the situation.
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"Major league teams encouraging it's fanbase to 'bet live,'" longtime local radio personality Damon Bruce posted in response. "There is something so wrong with our sports' compass."
"Sweet look here for the Giants. V cool," Mercury News
columnist Dieter Kurtenbach wrote sarcastically.
"Remember when I said the Kalshi deal felt slimy? Exhibit A," posted SFGATE
Giants columnist Dave Tobener, referencing a column he wrote after the Giants-Kalshi partnership was announced,
where he pointed to the irony of the MLB's embrace of sports betting and prediction market
s after its treatment of players such as Giants legend Willie Mays.
Others critical of the ad were N BC Sports Bay Area's
Rod Brook,
Around the Foghorn's
Jeff Young
, USA Today's
Kyle Madsond, KNBR's
Jack Loder
, KRON-TV
anchor Ben Ross
and Sports Illustrated's
Sean O'Leary
.
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Per Front Office Sports,
the deal includes "mutual opt-out clauses under which either side can walk away in October."
If the outrage continues, this opt-out would figure to be a no-brainer.
The post Local media blasts Giants after 'slimy' Kalshi ad: 'There is something so wrong with our sports' compass'
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.
