REQUESTED- Giannis Antetokounmpo joins US-based prediction market company as investor

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a shareholder in the prediction market platform Kalshi, the Greek star confirmed on Friday.

"The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own," Antetokounmpo posted on the US social media platform X. "Today, I'm joining Kalshi as a shareholder."

Kalshi, a platform where bets can be placed on sports, current events, and various other topics, announced that Antetokounmpo will be banned from trading in NBA-related markets.

"As an active player in the NBA, Antetokounmpo will be forbidden from trading on markets related to the NBA, per Kalshi's strict terms of service that ban insider trading and market manipulation," Kalshi said in a press release.

The fact that this announcement came just one day after the trade deadline and that an NBA star directly entered into a commercial deal has reignited the debate about active athlete-betting relationships.

Last year, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier were arrested by the FBI and suspended from their teams on charges of illegal gambling.