The National Hockey League said Wednesday it’s reached a multi-year licensing agreement with prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket. More sports leagues may be coming soon.
Tarek Mansour, Kalsh’si co-founder and CEO, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” the deal marked a “seminal moment” for prediction markets and the company.
“A league like the NHL partnering with us is a strong sign that prediction markets are here to stay,” Mansour said.
As part of the NHL deal, Kalshi and Polymarket will gain access to the league’s proprietary data and rights to use NHL marks and logos. In return, Mansour said, the hockey league will get a suite of customer protections. The NHL said both companies will receive brand exposure during broadcasts.
Mansour said the NHL deal could be replicated across other leagues: “Be on the lookout for more announcements soon,” he told CNBC.
Representatives for the NBA and NFL did not immediately respond to requests for comment. MLB declined to comment.
In August, the NFL expressed its concern about prediction markets, which allow customers to trade on the outcomes of events across entertainment and culture like election results or the length of the ongoing government shutdown.
Kalshi and other event trading platforms are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Yet many states, regulators and tribes are pushing back on prediction markets, arguing they amount to unregulated gambling. Multiple state and federal lawsuits are in progress over the alleged risks.
“We’re concerned that if these markets aren’t properly regulated, they could be susceptible to manipulation or price distortion,” said David Highhill, head of sports betting for the NFL.
Keith Wachtel, president of NHL Business, told CNBC he feels comfortable with Kalshi and Polymarket from a regulatory and integrity standpoint, noting that sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings have also struck partnerships with prediction platforms.
He said the league’s interest in prediction markets lies in the opportunity to reach new fans.
“What’s great about prediction markets is it goes beyond sport,” he said. “It gives opportunity to watch a different audience grow significantly.”
Mansour said criticism of the market is par for the course for a disruptor and that he feels confident in Kalshi’s regulatory setup. He said Kalshi has spent years working with the federal government to create a regulated prediction markets.
“When we think about the announcement today, the NHL deal is really about that. It’s essentially a validation of the fact that we have established the right set of customer protection and the right set of market integrity measures to protect our markets, but also the game,” he said.
