Kalshi has officially announced a partnership with five MLB franchises, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. It is further pursuing a partnership with The Athletic, the sports outlet owned by the New York Times, as it increases its presence in sports.
Many had already noted that the Red Sox had started promoting Kalshi over the weekend. The team posted Kalshi branding on its official social media accounts and in emails to subscribers.
Kalshi confirmed on Tuesday that it had an agreement with the team, as well as deals with the three California franchises and the Braves.
“The idea is that fans are already engaging with their favorite teams on Kalshi, so it only makes sense to extend that fandom to some of the most beloved baseball teams in America,” said Adam Barrick, Head of Sports Partnerships at Kalshi, in a press release.
Massachusetts’ Legal Action Against Kalshi
“We couldn’t be more excited to align with such a historic franchise and partner with them on enabling Red Sox fans to express their fandom via prediction markets,” Barrick said on the Red Sox partnership.
However, a judge ruled earlier this year that Kalshi cannot allow users in Massachusetts to trade on its sports markets. The ruling came after Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell sued Kalshi in September last year, arguing that it requires a sports betting license to offer sports prediction markets in the state.
Kalshi appealed against the decision, and the case is ongoing in the Massachusetts Supreme Court. A judge granted Kalshi’s motion to stay the ruling, allowing it to continue operating while its appeal is pending.
Red Sox Excited to Promote Company
Despite the negative ruling against Kalshi, the Red Sox said they were excited to partner with the company.
“We’re excited to welcome Kalshi as the Official and Exclusive Prediction Market Partner of the Boston Red Sox,” said Troup Parkinson, EVP, Chief Marketing & Partnerships Officer, Boston Red Sox.
“Our shared commitment to innovation and excellence makes this partnership a natural fit, while creating new opportunities to engage Red Sox fans across Fenway Park and through our digital and broadcast channels. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life.”
When asked whether the team had any reservations about promoting a company that Massachusetts courts have ruled operates illegally, the Red Sox did not respond.
California Teams Also Promote Kalshi
Kalshi highlighted that its deal with the Dodgers will include Kalshi-branded LED signage around Dodger Stadium and grant the platform naming rights to the stadium’s Gold Glove Bar. Fans will have access to Kalshi-specific offers and exclusive on-site activations throughout the season in Centerfield Plaza.
Unlike Massachusetts, California has not taken legal action against Kalshi. Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief against Kalshi in Ohio, but his office has not filed any lawsuits.
Kalshi is investing in lobbying efforts in the state through the firm Redwood Public Affairs, founded by Bonta’s former legislative director and chief of staff, Evan Corder.
Kalshi did not provide specifics about its deals with the Padres, Braves, or Giants, but said that all partnerships will include in-stadium signage, plus social, online, radio, and fan activations.
MLB Embraces Prediction Markets
Kalshi is not alone in partnering with MLB franchises. The Yankees have partnered with Polymarket, while the Mets signed a deal with Novig. These partnerships come despite New York declaring sports prediction markets constitute illegal sports betting.
MLB, however, appears to have given the green light to teams partnering with companies. In March, it agreed to a deal with Polymarket, allowing the platform to use official team names and branding.
Kalshi, despite its deals with the five teams, does not show the franchises’ full names on its platform. Instead, it refers to them only as their respective cities.
Kalshi Also Pursues a Deal With The Athletic
In addition to the sports organizations, Kalshi has partnered with several media outlets. It already has deals with CNN, CNBC, and FOX.
Front Office Sports reported that it is also close to an agreement with The Athletic, the sports outlet owned by the New York Times.
The Athletic previously had a deal with BetMGM, but this expired earlier this year. It has since had talks with various betting and prediction market companies, but has not yet announced any partnerships.
