Prediction market platform Kalshi has confirmed that NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo holds a minority equity stake below 1%, addressing concerns that surfaced after the company hosted high-volume markets tied to his potential trade destination.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Investment Details
Antetokounmpo announced that he became a shareholder in Kalshi through his company, Ante Inc., making him the first active NBA player to invest directly in a regulated prediction market platform. Kalshi stated that the agreement was signed on Thursday, the same day as the NBA trade deadline, and that his ownership remains well below the 1% threshold permitted under league rules for passive investments.
At Kalshi’s most recent valuation of $11 billion, a 1% stake would exceed $100 million. The company did not disclose the exact size of Antetokounmpo’s position.
Trade Markets Spark Scrutiny
Earlier in the week, Kalshi hosted markets predicting whether Antetokounmpo would be traded, generating more than $23 million in trading volume. The company said the investment agreement was not in place while those markets were active. Under existing platform rules, Antetokounmpo is barred from trading on any NBA-related markets or contracts involving him personally.
Kalshi emphasized that safeguards were already in place, including automated monitoring systems and trading restrictions for athletes. The announcement comes as the company faces growing regulatory pressure in several US states, even as it continues to expand rapidly and attract high-profile investors.
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