He will never endorse a sports betting company

Victor Wembanyama said Thursday that he will never promote a sports betting company, drawing a firm boundary around a category of endorsements that other NBA players have accepted. The Spurs star made the remarks after a training camp workout in San Antonio, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.

Asked whether he would consider promoting a betting website, Wembanyama answered: “Absolutely not. I will never do that.” He then expressed disappointment at seeing players promote betting, while acknowledging that others can make their own choices.

Reporter Jared Weiss shared video of Wembanyama’s response Thursday. BroBible’s Jorge Alonso also reported the remarks.

Values determine the endorsement decision

Wembanyama also explained how he decides which brands to work with. In Wright’s account, he said money had once been part of those decisions but no longer drives them. He said he had declined offers worth substantially more than the deals he accepted because those opportunities did not align with his values.

He described the influence athletes have on others as more important than their earnings, and said he wants the products he promotes to have a positive impact. Alonso’s report corroborated that emphasis on inspiring people in a good way.

His remarks concern his own sponsorship choices. Neither account reports a change to Spurs or NBA policy, or identifies a specific betting deal that he rejected Thursday.

His statement adds a clear position to the commercial side of his career as San Antonio begins training camp. He does not intend to lend his name to sports betting promotions, even while other athletes make different endorsement decisions.