Wembanyama says he will never endorse sports betting companies after training camp workout

Victor Wembanyama said after Thursday’s training camp workout that he will never endorse a sports betting company. “Absolutely not,” Wembanyama said. “I will never do that. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.”

The San Antonio Spurs forward said his approach to sponsorships has changed as his profile has grown, telling reporters that while money once influenced his decisions, it no longer does. “In the past, there was a dimension of money,” he said. “Not anymore.” Wembanyama said he has turned down offers worth considerably more than the deals he has accepted because he was uncomfortable with what he would be promoting, and he framed his public role around inspiration rather than income.

Wembanyama reiterated that motivating others is his priority, adding: “Obviously, we earn millions and millions. This is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. I want to inspire in a good way. That’s the strongest thing I can do.”

On the court, Wembanyama enters his fourth NBA season after helping San Antonio reach the NBA finals for the first time since 2014. He was unanimously voted Defensive Player of the Year last season after leading the league in blocked shots for a third consecutive year and finished third in MVP voting.

Several of the NBA’s highest-profile players, by contrast, have public ties to gambling or prediction markets: LeBron James announced a partnership with Polymarket in September after previously working with DraftKings; Kevin Durant has an endorsement deal with FanDuel and is an investor in the prediction market Kalshi; Giannis Antetokounmpo announced earlier this year that he had become a Kalshi shareholder; and Nikola Jokić has served as an ambassador for Superbet in Serbia since 2023.

Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, NBA players are permitted to endorse sports betting companies subject to restrictions: they cannot promote wagering on NBA-related markets but may enter broader endorsement arrangements and hold limited investments in gambling companies. Wembanyama said he will instead choose partners who align with his values, stating: “I want to promote things that have a good impact, have a good influence with who I can share messages and values.”

Wembanyama made clear Thursday that his growing prominence will not alter where he draws the line on endorsements.