LeBron James teases Polymarket partnership — SkimNews
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- LeBron James posted a 14-second video on X showing him in Polymarket's headquarters elevator heading to the company's sports floor, captioned 'Welcome to Polymarket HQ. Coming soon. In partnership with @Polymarket.'
- The post teases a larger football-focused campaign between James and Polymarket, with further details expected in the week ahead, per a person familiar with the matter.
- Deal terms were not disclosed, and NBA rules restrict players' financial interests in companies offering league-related wagering or similar products.
- Polymarket recently hired Travis VanderZanden — formerly of Uber, Lyft, and the founder of e-scooter startup Bird — as chief growth officer to lead marketing ahead of a busy fall sports calendar.
- The platform has already inked league deals with MLS, MLB, and the NHL, plus team partnerships with the New York Yankees and New York Rangers.
- Rival prediction market Kalshi earlier this year signed Giannis Antetokounmpo as a passive shareholder, with rules barring him from trading on NBA-related markets.
Why it matters: Prediction markets are racing to lock in sports legitimacy before the fall calendar, with Polymarket building out league deals (MLB, MLS, NHL) and hiring an ex-Uber/Lyft growth chief while Kalshi courts athletes in parallel. Landing LeBron James as a campaign face — even with NBA rules capping player financial stakes — accelerates mainstream brand recognition for Polymarket heading into football season.
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