Kalshi Signs Its First Pro Athlete, Golfer Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau is a Kalshi man now. Top CFTC-regulated prediction trade Kalshi has teamed with skilled golfer Bryson DeChambeau for its first athletic endorsement deal. As a part of the association, DeChambeau will seem in “a TV industrial, social media posts, reside appearances and promotions, branded content material, and extra.”

“Kalshi is constructing one thing fully completely different,” the platform told Front Office Sports. “As the world’s largest prediction market and one of many fastest-growing firms on the planet, Kalshi is making a enjoyable and extra partaking expertise for individuals to foretell and forecast the long run.”

The deal means Kalshi may even launch markets on occasions wherein DeChambeau performs. Bryson has performed for the LIV Golf tour since 2022. “Am I gonna make a birdie on the following gap? Am I gonna win this match or that match? There’s simply so many issues you are able to do with prediction markets,” he informed FOS on the course at LIV’s Teams Week in South Florida.

DeChambeau and Kalshi deal particulars

Kalshi has provided LIV Golf occasion contracts previously, however FOS notes that it stopped providing these markets in 2025. It does supply a market on what number of course data DeChambeau will break throughout his YouTube sequence this yr.

In a current press convention, DeChambeau mentioned he was “contracted by means of 2026” with LIV. He hasn’t brazenly dedicated to re-signing with the Saudi-backed golf league. Recently, Brooks Koepka defected from LIV with one yr left on his contract; he’s rejoining the PGA Tour however must face monetary penalties.

Kalshi didn’t instantly share the phrases or size of the endorsement deal. 

DeChambeau isn’t new to the playing endorsement scene, and even to prediction markets. Earlier this month, he appeared in an ad spot for Underdog Fantasy’s prediction markets product, as pointed out by trade journalist Dustin Gouker on X. DeChambeau grew to become the primary lively professional golfer to companion with DraftKings in 2021. He additionally performed a made-for-TV match towards PGA Tour golfers Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler for a $10 million purse, with the prize paid out in crypto.

Sports & prediction markets: A match made in heaven?

As Kalshi, Polymarket, and different prediction market platforms grow to be extra entwined with sports activities, viewers will see extra high-profile endorsement and branding offers. In December, Kalshi partnered with the Chicago Blackhawks to cross-promote on social media (on high of the multiyear deal between the NHL and each Kalshi and Polymarket that the events inked in October).

In November, Ultimate Fighting Championship partnered with Polymarket to combine its prediction market odds into reside broadcasts and present market exercise throughout fights, per ESPN.

Polymarket additionally had a serious presence within the Jake Paul/Anthony Joshua boxing match. Not solely did Joshua rock a series featuring Polymarket’s logo, however Joshua additionally wore trunks that includes the platform’s identify. You may even learn ‘Polymarket’ throughout the highest of his trunks as he knocked out Paul within the fifth spherical.

Not all leagues are pro-prediction markets

Not all sports activities leagues are gung-ho for prediction markets. In December, the NFL submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Agriculture for a listening to on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s oversight of prediction markets.

“We are significantly troubled that a number of sports-related futures contracts have been launched nationwide, together with in jurisdictions the place sports activities betting has not been legalized,” Jeff Miller, an govt vp for the NFL, wrote in the testimony. “These contracts fall outdoors the purview of state regulatory authorities and the safeguards they impose upon the trade.

The MLB and different leagues have additionally voiced their issues concerning the want for elevated integrity protections in sports activities occasion contracts, and warned towards inside employees and gamers taking part.

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