The Giants added a new sponsor on Tuesday morning, announcing a partnership with Kalshi, the prediction market company that has already been hit with lawsuits from several states this year.
Per the team’s release, Kalshi will get a range of promotional inventory, including “in-ballpark signage, radio drops, experiential activations, and other promotional opportunities.”
Steve Tseng, the Giants’ senior vice president of partnerships, framed the deal as part of the club’s push to enhance the fan experience. “We’re pleased to welcome Kalshi to the Giants family,” Tseng said in a statement. “Creating unmatched experiences for our fans is a top priority, and we’re excited to work with Kalshi to deliver on that commitment.”
Kalshi also announced agreements with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. The Giants sent the release to media, but as of Tuesday morning, it had not been posted on the team’s social media or website.
Kalshi operates as a federally regulated prediction market under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Unlike sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, which are banned in some states, Kalshi is legal because it is not technically classified as a gambling service. Instead, it functions as a financial trading platform.
The company’s model is built around peer-to-peer exchanges, where users trade directly with one another on yes-or-no questions.
That legal distinction has not kept states from fighting back. New York sued Kalshi last month, accusing it of “running an illegal gambling operation.”
“No matter what they call themselves, prediction markets like Kalshi are gambling platforms, plain and simple,” wrote New York Attorney General Letitia James in July. “By ignoring our laws, Kalshi is running an illegal operation and harming New Yorkers in the process. We are taking them to court to uphold our laws and protect New Yorkers.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also backed a coalition of 37 state AGs earlier this summer in support of state gambling laws against Kalshi.
Washington state filed its own suit in March, and earlier this month a King County Superior Court judge ordered Kalshi to stop many of its operations there.
“Kalshi wants people betting on almost everything possible in life-the outcome of elections, Supreme Court cases, even wars. For Kalshi, every event, every tragedy is nothing more than a potential way for Americans to risk their fortunes and for Kalshi to get rich,” wrote Washington Attorney General Nick Brown in March.
“As they advance this bleak vision of the future, they line their pockets and pat themselves on the back for sneaking around Washington’s gambling laws. No more.”
Kalshi has also drawn scrutiny in sports. Earlier this year, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo faced backlash for partnering with the company.
The Giants, meanwhile, are no strangers to criticism when it comes to sponsorship choices. Their jersey patch deal with autonomous vehicle company Cruise in 2023 drew pushback, even before a Cruise robotaxi struck a pedestrian in San Francisco.
In Other News...
Giants Roster Shakeup Leaves Fans Debating Two Tough Decisions
The Giants spent the lead-up to their game against the Reds reshaping the roster in a big way, making ten moves that underscored how quickly availability can change this time of year. Bryce Eldridge was placed on the bereavement list, while Willy Adames, Victor Bericoto and JT Brubaker landed on the injured list. Matt Wilkinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, and the club brought up Nate Furman, Grant McCray, Anthony Molina, Ryan Walker and Shay Whitcomb to fill the gaps.
For a team trying to stay balanced through injuries and performance decisions, the churn says as much about the moment as the lineup card does. The Giants now have to manage both the immediate roster puzzle and the longer question of which of these moves are simply temporary fixes and which ones could shape the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Face Another Pitching Concern They Couldnt Afford
The Giants pitching depth took another hit in the middle of a night they could ill afford one. Carson Whisenhunt left the game against the Reds with left elbow pain after throwing 47 pitches, and Jason Foley had to take over, finishing the third inning and then working a scoreless fourth to keep San Francisco afloat.
For a club that had already placed Willy Adames, Victor Bericoto and JT Brubaker on the injured list earlier in the day, any issue with a young arm only adds to the pressure. Whisenhunts exit leaves the Giants waiting to see how serious the elbow concern is, while the rest of the staff keeps absorbing the kind of attrition that can quickly change the shape of a season. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Rotation Takes Another Hit After Carson Whisenhunt's Early Exit
Carson Whisenhunts night ended early against the Reds, and for a Giants rotation already leaning hard on its depth, the sight of him walking off with a left arm injury after 47 pitches was another unwelcome turn. Jason Foley steadied things after the handoff, throwing scoreless innings in relief, but the bigger concern was less about the box score and more about how thin the pitching staff has become around him.
The roster crunch has only intensified with Willy Adames, Victor Bericoto and JT Brubaker all landing on the injured list, joining several other pitchers who were already there. For San Francisco, the issue is no longer just about covering one game or one spot in the rotation, but about keeping enough healthy arms and position players available to avoid pushing the strain any further. [Read more 🡒]