Basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo recently expanded his investment portfolio by acquiring stakes in the prediction market company Kalshi and the Women’s Super League (WSL) club Chelsea FC Women.
As the first basketball player to directly invest in Kalshi, the Milwaukee Bucks player will partner with the company on various initiatives, including marketing and live events.
The 31-year-old was quoted by SportsPro, “I love the Kalshi markets and have been checking them often recently. I like to win. It’s clear to me Kalshi is going to be a winner and I’m excited to be getting involved.”
Due to the company’s strict terms of service, which are designed to prevent insider trading and market manipulation, the Greek forward, as an active NBA player, will be expressly prohibited from engaging in any trades, transactions, or financial activities directly related to the league.
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As a prediction market exchange, Kalshi enables users to trade contracts that increase or decrease in value based on the outcome of live sport and other major events.
The company can operate legally in states where traditional sports betting is illegal because it falls under federal commodities and derivatives regulations, not state gambling laws. This legal difference is essential to its business strategy and ability to expand geographically. Kalshi has established partnerships with both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Pro Padel League (PPL). Furthermore, a team deal with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks adds to the diversity of Kalshi’s sports affiliations.
“Giannis is a legend,” Tarek Mansour, chief executive of Kalshi, remarked. “He’s exactly the type of long-term partner we want to align our growing brand with, and we couldn’t be happier he’s on board.”
Nevertheless, fan criticism has arisen over Antetokounmpo’s involvement with Kalshi, suggesting a potential conflict of interest. This concern is fueled by the fact that Kalshi has previously offered contracts allowing users to bet on the possibility of him changing teams.
Meanwhile, by buying a minority stake in Chelsea Women, Antetokounmpo is partnering with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who purchased a ten percent stake in the club last year for a reported US$27.3 million.
Antetokounmpo praised Chelsea Women on social media, describing the club as “historic,” founded on a culture of “passion, excellence, and a willing” spirit.
“Chelsea’s history speaks for itself, and I’m excited to contribute to the future by supporting continued growth and impact in women’s sport,” he wrote. “This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights. Up the Chels!”
The WSL team is still majority owned by Chelsea’s ownership group. Control of the women’s team was transferred to the BlueCo holding company in 2024.
Antetokounmpo’s recent investments in Kalshi and Chelsea Women add to a growing portfolio that includes his media venture, Improbable Media. He has also invested in a number of sports teams, including the TGL franchise Los Angeles Golf Club, Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Nashville SC, Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Milwaukee Brewers, and the Unrivaled three-on-three women’s basketball league.
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