Wemby finds it 'very sad' that fellow players endorse betting firms

[p]"Absolutely not," the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-antonio-spurs/IwmkErSH/"]San Antonio Spurs[/a] star told reporters after a training camp practice when asked if he would sign for a piece of the increasingly lucrative sports gambling pie.[/p][p]"[b]I will never do that[/b]," he added. "[b]Honestly, I think it's very sad to see some players promote it. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.[/b]"[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wembanyama-victor/jFmM1MFl/"]Wembanyama[/a]'s remarks come a week after four-time NBA champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/james-lebron/nuIVxFJk/"]LeBron James[/a], a former endorser of digital sports gambling company DraftKings, signed up with prediction market Polymarket.[/p][p]NBA star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/durant-kevin/pKXcd9rI/"]Kevin Durant[/a] is a brand ambassador for FanDuel and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antetokounmpo-giannis/zw2Tm2a1/"]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/a] is a shareholder and marketing parter in prediction market platform Kalshi.[/p][p]NBA rules allow such partnerships with betting operators and prediction markets, although players aren't allowed to promote gambling related to the NBA.[/p][embed guid="ddf490d3-e27c-4aac-bcbc-20521a9304db" url="https://x.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/2105715500055761283?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]France's Wembanyama led the Spurs to the NBA Finals in just his third season in the league.[/p][p]The 22-year-old has inked a five-year maximum rookie contract extension worth $252 million with the Spurs and has reportedly agreed to a contract extension with Nike that will include his own signature shoe.[/p][p]He is a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton and reportedly has a memorabilia endorsement deal with Fanatics.[/p][p]He said he now choses brand partnerships with the aim of "inspiring" others.[/p][p]"[b]In the past, there was a dimension of money[/b]," he said. "[b]Not anymore ... Now, I want to promote things that have a good impact, have a good influence with who I can share messages and values.[/b][/p][p]"[b]Obviously, we earn millions and millions. This is not our biggest strength. Our biggest strength is inspiring. I want to inspire in a good way. That's the strongest thing I can do.[/b]"[/p]