The NBA is embracing prediction markets for the first time by naming leading platforms Kalshi and Polymarket as its preferred exchanges.
Through the agreements, the league said there will be "significant integrity" protections for NBA markets, including limitations on which types of event contracts can be featured and information-sharing requirements regarding suspicious trades.
"Protecting the integrity of the game is our top priority," said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA head of media distribution and partnerships in a press release. "These partnerships represent an important step in establishing a framework that creates new opportunities to engage our fans."
As part of the announcements, the league also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal agency that asserts prediction markets are under its purview. The agreement seeks to maintain the integrity of both the NBA and event contract markets, the memo said, through exchanges of information.
The NBA is the latest league to create partnerships with the booming prediction markets industry, which has seen much of its growth over the past year come from the popularity of its sports-related offerings. The NHL in October 2025 announced partnerships with both Kalshi and Polymarket, while the MLB announced a relationship with the latter company in March.