NFL backs New Jersey bid for Supreme Court review

The National Football League filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on October 8 backing New Jersey’s request for review of its dispute with Kalshi over who may regulate sports prediction contracts. The league urged the justices to consider whether states can apply gambling laws to the contracts or whether federal oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) takes precedence. The filing supports New Jersey’s petition, submitted in September after conflicting decisions by federal appeals courts. The Supreme Court has not said whether it will hear the case, and a decision on that question is not expected before December. Kalshi’s response to the petition is due November 9. In its brief, the NFL argued that some sports contracts are vulnerable to manipulation because a player, coach or official could influence an outcome through an individual action. The league said safeguards should include restrictions on bets it considers susceptible to manipulation and a minimum trading age of 21. These are the NFL’s arguments, not findings by the court. The league also questioned whether the CFTC has enough staff and resources to oversee sports prediction markets.