Philadelphia 76ers Become First NBA Team to Partner with Kalshi
The Philadelphia 76ers have become the first NBA franchise to appoint an official prediction market partner, signing a multi-year agreement with Kalshi as the sector continues to face regulatory challenges across the United States.
Announced on October 30, the partnership follows the NBA’s league-wide agreements with Kalshi and Polymarket, which were announced earlier in the week.
Under the agreement, Kalshi will receive in-arena advertising, social media exposure and integration across the 76ers’ official app, mobile ticketing and digital platforms.
The company will also sponsor Sixers Posters, a digital art series featuring Philadelphia-connected artists, and Beat the Pro, a season-long competition offering selected fans the opportunity to compete against a former 76ers player or team personality for a chance to win $76,000.
Owen Morin, Chief Revenue Officer of Partnerships at the Philadelphia 76ers, said they had seen an opportunity to move quickly when the NBA announced the deal with Kalshi and Polymarket.
“With Kalshi’s new league-wide relationship with the NBA, we saw an opportunity to build a first-of-its-kind team partnership focused on delivering new content, creativity and engagement for 76ers fans,” he said.
“As we embark on a new season with palpable buzz and anticipation surrounding our team, we’re excited to work with Kalshi to create new, fun experiences for our fans.”
Kalshi also funded free postgame public transport for supporters attending Philadelphia’s October 30 fixture against the New York Knicks, covering SEPTA Broad Street Line journeys from NRG Station.
“As we build our relationship with the NBA, we couldn’t be more excited to have the 76ers as our first announced team partner,” Head of Sports Partnerships at Kalshi Adam Barrick said.
“It’s an exciting time for the 76ers franchise, with one of the most passionate fan bases in sports behind it. We look forward to working together in creating a new, innovative and safe way for Philadelphia 76ers fans to engage with the team and players they love.”
The agreement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the regulatory status of sports prediction markets in Pennsylvania.
Kalshi operates in the state under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), rather than holding a Pennsylvania sports betting licence.
However, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) maintains that contracts based on sporting outcomes constitute sports wagering and are subject to state gambling laws.
In comments submitted to the CFTC in May, the regulator argued that offering sports event contracts without appropriate state licensing violates Pennsylvania law.
Despite that position, Kalshi remains accessible to Pennsylvania residents, with no publicly identified state enforcement action specifically prohibiting its operations.
Pennsylvania lawmakers have also introduced legislation proposing a state regulatory framework for prediction markets, including consumer protections and restrictions on certain event contracts.
The 76ers partnership highlights the growing commercial involvement of professional sports organisations in prediction markets, even as federal and state authorities continue to dispute how sports-related contracts should be regulated.
