Local media blasts SF Giants for unprecedented Kalshi ad
The social media post drew the ire of both the fan base and local media.
Just one week after the San Francisco Giants inked a deal with prediction-market firm Kalshi, the team promoted the market betting firm's ad as a highlight video on its official Twitter account, prompting criticism from fans and local media. The post featured a bunt, an intentional walk, and an RBI double in the ninth inning that increased the team's win probability from 49% to 77%, followed by a call to download the Kalshi app to trade on future outcomes and a link to the Kalshi website.
The move marks the second MLB team to post a Kalshi ad in a team account and the only team to explicitly encourage fans to gamble on the team. Major league teams have been partnering with Kalshi in various capacities since last week, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox among others.
However, the Giants' ad, which went out to the team's 1.6 million followers without any indication of it being sponsored, drew significant backlash. Critics argue that it's irresponsible to push gambling on a youth-oriented fanbase, especially considering the history of players being banned for similar actions.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
