The new NBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will allow players to promote or invest in sports betting-related companies. Before that can happen, though, it still needs final ratification from team owners and players.
Teams have been able to partner with sports betting companies for some time, but players have not been allowed to do the same. This was because the current CBA was enacted before the federal ban on sports betting came to an end in May 2018. Even the NBA has official sports betting partners such as FanDuel and DraftKings.
allowing players to invest in sports betting and cannabis-related companies
The new CBA, if passed, would likely run through the 2029-2030 season. In addition to allowing players to invest in sports betting and cannabis-related companies, the new agreement would introduce an in-season tournament, provide additional tax benefits, and establish positionless All-NBA teams.
While it’s a good sign that players can get involved in sports betting-related companies, doing so might attract certain types of unwanted attention. Some NBA stars have recently spoken about the abuse they have received from irate sports bettors.
Toronto Raptors power forward Chris Boucher was referred to as a “slave” by an angry bettor on social media, while Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal got into a confrontation after a game when a fan shouted at him about an unsuccessful $1,300 sports bet.