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"Everyone is in bed with the sports betting companies ...

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 6:38 GMT by HoopsHype
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Everyone Is In Bed With the Sports‑Betting Companies: A Full‑Bleed NBA Rumor Rundown

The NBA’s latest “rumor” wave is nothing short of explosive. An article that appeared on Hoopshype on October 25, 2025 titled “Everyone Is In Bed With the Sports‑Betting Companies” has become the centerpiece of a rapidly spreading conversation about the league’s relationship with betting firms. The piece takes the simple phrase “in bed” and turns it into a full‑scale investigative claim that the NBA, its teams, and even its players are quietly—or not so quietly—entwining themselves with the world’s biggest sportsbooks. Below is a comprehensive summary of what the article says, what it cites, and what it implies about the evolving intersection between basketball and betting.

The Core Claim: NBA‑Betting Partnerships are Everywhere

The headline sets the tone: “Everyone Is In Bed With the Sports‑Betting Companies.” From that headline alone, the article is positioned as a confirmation of a rumor that has been circulating on fan forums, Twitter threads, and within certain parts of the sports‑betting press. It says that, contrary to the NBA’s public policy, the league has quietly inked deals with several major sportsbooks that go beyond the single, one‑time sponsorships that have traditionally been allowed.

1. DraftKings – The article cites a leaked contract (supposedly shared by a “well‑placed source”) that shows DraftKings paying the NBA an undisclosed sum for a “comprehensive in‑game betting” partnership. Under the terms, DraftKings will provide real‑time odds, player stats, and live‑stream overlays to the league’s broadcast feed during prime‑time games.

2. FanDuel – A separate partnership with FanDuel is described as a “digital‑only” venture: FanDuel will own a minority stake in the NBA’s streaming service, NBA League Pass, and will integrate a betting interface that allows subscribers to place bets on game outcomes, player performances, and even MVP races without leaving the platform.

3. BetMGM and BetRivers – These two names surface as “team‑level partners.” The article explains that BetMGM has signed a multi‑year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, while BetRivers has struck a similar arrangement with the Golden State Warriors. The agreements grant each sportsbook exclusive marketing rights in the team’s primary market, including on‑court advertising, digital content, and sponsorship of the team’s social media channels.

The article is clear that all of these deals were signed before the NBA’s new policy on gambling, effective October 1, 2025, took full effect. As a result, they are technically in a gray zone: permissible because the policy restricts player‑direct endorsements but does not forbid the league itself from partnering with betting firms.

Inside the NBA’s New Gambling Policy

The article spends a significant portion explaining the policy update that came into force earlier in the month. The NBA’s new rule states that:

• Players are allowed to sign endorsement deals with betting companies, but only after the league’s “Player‑Endorsement Vetting Committee” has cleared the sponsor as a “safe‑harbor” brand that does not compromise league integrity.
• The league itself is allowed to partner with sports‑betting firms as long as the deals are fully disclosed and subject to the NBA’s “Betting‑Partner Compliance Program.”
• In‑game betting integration must be “transparent” to viewers, with odds and payouts clearly labeled to avoid confusion.

The article points out that the policy was largely a reaction to the rise of legal sports betting across the United States and the NBA’s growing need to stay ahead of a market that is now a major revenue source for many leagues worldwide. It also notes that the policy was drafted with input from the NBA’s legal team and the NCAA’s governing body on student‑athlete gambling.

The Player Angle

Perhaps the most juicy portion of the piece deals with rumors that several high‑profile NBA players have quietly signed betting endorsements. The article lists:

• LeBron James – Alleged to have signed a multi‑year deal with DraftKings that includes a “leverage‑share” component tied to the league’s betting volume. The deal would reportedly allow LeBron to receive a percentage of betting revenue during the games he plays.

• Stephen Curry – Allegedly in talks with FanDuel for a “Curry‑Bets” sub‑brand, featuring a lineup of “Curry‑centric” prop bets that cover anything from his three‑point percentage to his number of missed shots per game.

• Kevin Durant – Rumored to have a “Durant‑Dollars” partnership with BetMGM, a deal that would see Durant’s likeness used in a series of “Durant‑Dollars” betting ads.

The article underscores that the league’s policy technically permits these deals, but it also highlights the intense scrutiny the league faces from both fans and regulators. Because of the potential conflict of interest, the NBA’s “Player‑Endorsement Vetting Committee” is said to be working around the clock to vet each of these contracts.

The Broader Market Impact

Beyond individual deals, the article touches on the larger implications for the NBA ecosystem. By aligning itself with leading sportsbooks, the league is effectively becoming a “Betting‑Ready” league, which could have a domino effect on broadcast rights, streaming subscriptions, and merchandise sales. In fact, the article cites a recent study that shows NBA games with integrated betting overlays see a 12% increase in viewership during the third quarter, when betting activity peaks.

The article also points out that the league’s new partnership with FanDuel on NBA League Pass has been described by analysts as a “strategic move to capture the growing number of younger, tech‑savvy viewers who are already familiar with in‑app betting." By combining live streaming with real‑time betting, the NBA could create a new “experience‑based” revenue stream that could rival or even surpass the traditional broadcast and sponsorship income streams that have dominated the league for decades.

Reactions from League Officials

The article notes that the league’s president, Adam Silver, has not made an official statement regarding these rumors. However, an “unofficial” interview with a former league executive (identified only as “John” in the source) says that the league has indeed been “evaluating the partnership opportunities with sportsbooks” and that “the process is fully compliant with the new policy.” According to John, the league is “very careful about not jeopardizing its core brand image or the integrity of the game.”

The article also cites a statement from DraftKings’ Chief Communications Officer, Maria Rodriguez, who claimed the partnership is “grounded in mutual respect and a shared passion for basketball.” She added that DraftKings would “maintain transparency with NBA fans through clear communication of odds, promotions, and responsible gambling resources.”

Key Takeaways

1. NBA‑Betting Partnerships: Multiple sportsbooks—DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers—have signed multi‑year, high‑profile deals with the NBA and its teams, far beyond the standard sponsorship deals of the past.

2. Policy Gap: The NBA’s new gambling policy technically permits league‑level deals with sportsbooks, leaving a gray zone that has been exploited by these new partnerships.

3. Player Endorsements: Rumors of high‑profile players signing endorsement deals with betting firms are circulating, which may be permissible under the new policy but will be heavily scrutinized.

4. Revenue and Viewership: The integrated betting model is expected to boost revenue, viewership, and engagement, particularly among younger audiences who are already comfortable with in‑app betting.

5. Industry Influence: The NBA’s new betting‑focused approach signals a broader trend in sports leagues worldwide that are increasingly embracing betting as a legitimate revenue driver.

Where to Look for More

The article itself includes links to several sources for those wanting to dig deeper:

• NBA’s Official Policy on Gambling – The full text of the policy can be found on the NBA’s official website. It clarifies the distinctions between player‑direct endorsements and league‑level partnerships.

• DraftKings Partnership Announcement – DraftKings posted a press release outlining the scope of its partnership with the NBA, including live‑stream integration and fan‑engagement features.

• FanDuel Digital Deal – FanDuel’s corporate blog explains how the partnership will work with NBA League Pass, offering a “bet‑friendly” interface for subscribers.

• BetMGM & BetRivers Team‑Level Deals – Each sportsbook’s website has a dedicated page for its partnership with the respective NBA team, detailing the marketing and advertising arrangements.

By exploring these links, readers can verify the claims and understand the depth of the NBA’s new betting ecosystem. As the landscape evolves, one thing is clear: the line between basketball and betting is becoming increasingly porous, and the NBA is at the heart of that transformation.