NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated on October 9, 2026, that the league is seeking access to prediction market data. The goal is to monitor for potential manipulation and insider trading on contracts linked to NBA games and business operations.
The league has been in discussions with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) since early 2026. In a letter dated April 30, 2026, the NBA proposed stricter rules, including limits on player-prop and injury markets, as well as requirements for platforms to cooperate with league investigations.
The NBA is also conducting ongoing talks with prediction market platforms, including Kalshi and Polymarket, regarding potential data-sharing and marketing partnerships. These discussions could lead to a memorandum of understanding with the CFTC.
The NFL recently intervened in the broader regulatory debate by filing an amicus brief on October 8, 2026, arguing that state regulators should oversee sports event contracts. The NFL noted that football accounted for $1.8 billion of the $3.3 billion in total prediction market volume on the first Sunday of the 2026 season.
