What do NBA players think about the league’s partnerships with gambling companies? Players Association president Fred VanVleet believes the financial gains are not worth the stress.
In a statement to the New York Times, VanVleet mentioned that he sees “more negatives than positives” in these relationships, which started after the Supreme Court approved sports gambling in 2018. Despite having more chances for endorsements, VanVleet thinks players face more challenges than benefits.
Fred VanVleet argues that gambling revenue isn’t significant enough
VanVleet, who became president of the Players Association last summer, stated that revenue from gambling companies accounts for only one percent of the NBA’s total basketball-related income. This might be surprising given the prevalence of gambling ads and discussions about bets during game broadcasts.
“It’s not substantial enough to make it worth any of this. For us or for the league, quite frankly,” VanVleet said.
By “all of this,” he referred to the increased pressure players feel from dissatisfied gamblers. He cited a viral incident involving Jimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors, where Butler was approached on the street by a man upset because he had bet on Butler to score 30 points. VanVleet suggested that the focus on gambling could put players in risky situations.