Wembanyama rules out sports betting endorsements

Victor Wembanyama said he will not endorse sports betting companies, calling it sad to see some players promote them, during a media availability at the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp. The 22-year-old said he now weighs potential sponsorships against his values rather than the money they offer. Asked whether he would consider promoting a sports gambling company, Wembanyama responded that he would never do so. He added that other players could make their own choices, but that he did not want to be associated with those promotions. The Spurs center said he has rejected offers worth more than the endorsement deals he has accepted when they did not align with his principles. He described the platform that comes with his basketball career as an opportunity to influence people, and said he wants to promote things with a positive impact. His remarks stand in contrast to the commercial partnerships some other high-profile athletes have made with betting or prediction-market businesses. LeBron James entered a partnership with Polymarket in September, according to reports.