The San Francisco Giants, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox, announced a partnership with prediction market Kalshi last week.
“Kalshi will receive a mix of marketing and brand integration assets, including in-ballpark signage, radio drops, experiential activations, and other promotional opportunities,” MLB said of the partnerships in a statement.
One week after the announcement, the Giants posted its first Kalshi ad, using a highlight video as subterfuge.
“A bunt, an intentional walk, and an RBI double in extra innings boosted the #SFGiants win probability from 49% to 77%,” the Giants posted on X, followed by “Download the Kalshi app to trade what’s next,” and a Giants-specific link to Kalshi’s site.
A bunt, an intentional walk, and an RBI double in extra innings boosted the #SFGiants win probability from 49% to 77%.
Download the Kalshi app to trade what’s next
🔗: https://t.co/b61BqeIcr8 pic.twitter.com/WSyk9204Qh— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 3, 2026
The Giants’ franchise has had a contentious relationship with its local media all season, and encouraging the 1.6 million fans following the team on X to gamble on the struggling ball club has only exacerbated the situation.
“Major league teams encouraging it’s fanbase to ‘bet live,’” longtime local radio personality Damon Bruce posted in response. “There is something so wrong with our sports’ compass.”
Major league teams encouraging it’s fanbase to “bet live”. There is something so wrong with our sports’ compass. https://t.co/C0UjkKyFrm
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) September 3, 2026
“Sweet look here for the Giants. V cool,” Mercury News columnist Dieter Kurtenbach wrote sarcastically.
Sweet look here for the Giants. V cool. https://t.co/f5OUt6qCeq
— Dieter Kurtenbach 🔥 (@dieter) September 3, 2026
“Remember when I said the Kalshi deal felt slimy? Exhibit A,” posted SFGATE Giants columnist Dave Tobener, referencing a column he wrote after the Giants-Kalshi partnership was announced, where he pointed to the irony of the MLB’s embrace of sports betting and prediction markets after its treatment of players such as Giants legend Willie Mays.
Remember when I said the Kalshi deal felt slimy? Exhibit A:https://t.co/yiL2yvTCXd https://t.co/lOiEQ8ERPj
— Dave (@gggiants) September 3, 2026
Others critical of the ad were NBC Sports Bay Area’s Rod Brook, Around the Foghorn’s Jeff Young, USA Today’s Kyle Madsond, KNBR’s Jack Loder, KRON-TV anchor Ben Ross and Sports Illustrated’s Sean O’Leary.
Per Front Office Sports, the deal includes “mutual opt-out clauses under which either side can walk away in October.”
If the outrage continues, this opt-out would figure to be a no-brainer.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.