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NBA Fans Slam LeBron James After Controversial Partnership Announcement
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- NBA Fans Slam LeBron James After Controversial Partnership Announcement
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
LeBron James faced some backlash when he chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, but it's nothing compared to what he is facing now. James is arguably the most polarizing athlete in American sports today, and he's just given his critics more ammunition with his latest business move.
James announced on Saturday that he is partnering with the popular/controversial prediction market platform Polymarket.
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"Welcome to Polymarket HQ," James wrote. "Coming soon. In partnership with Polymarket."
The short 14-second teaser video shows James entering "Polymarket HQ," and it remains to be seen what exactly this is all about. Whatever it may be, though, it's safe to say this announcement has not gone down well. NBA fans on X slammed James for partnering with Polymarket.
"You don't have enough money already? Disappointed, to say the least," a fan questioned whether James, a billionaire, hadn't made enough money.
"Really helping the kids by promoting gambling, you hypocrite," one fan called out James for not being a good role model.
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"Promoting this s*** is wrong. Make your money all you want. Don't pretend to be about anything else though," one ripped James for pretending to have morals.
"F*** Polymarket. Shame on you for getting involved with their gambling," a fan thinks James should be ashamed.
"Yay, another athlete selling their souls for a few bucks to an epidemic crushing young men," one fan hates this trend of athletes promoting gambling.
Earlier this year, Miami Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had announced he had joined Kalshi as a shareholder . Antetokounmpo was ripped for it, just like James is being now. While there is shock over the 41-year-old going down this route, this is pretty much on brand.
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James agreed to a multi-year deal to become a talent ambassador for DraftKings in 2024. That contract apparently expired earlier in 2026, and the 22-time All-Star wasted little time latching on to Polymarket, founded in 2020.
As fans pointed out, James is already stinking rich. He officially became a billionaire in 2022, and according to Forbes , his net worth is now $1.4 billion. Not teaming up with these gambling companies wasn't really going to change James' life in any way.
All of this is also happening at a time when former NBA player Terry Rozier is under investigation for gambling . This is just not a great look.
It's just the unfortunate reality, though, that sports and betting are completely intertwined. The MLB has brought Polymarket on board as their exclusive Prediction Market Exchange partner. According to Front Office Sports , they agreed to a three-year deal worth $300 million. The NHL has partnered with both Kalshi and Polymarket, and these leagues are fully embracing these markets.
