The Athletic has reportedly ceased discussions with Kalshi regarding a partnership for sports betting or prediction markets, a move that comes in the wake of opposition from unionized staffers at The New York Times. The sports publication, owned by The New York Times Company, is reportedly still in talks with Kalshi about advertising and other commercial opportunities, according to Front Office Sports.
Unionized Times workers had previously urged management to reject any agreement that extended beyond conventional advertising, expressing concerns that integrating Kalshi’s products could compromise the journalistic independence of The Athletic and The New York Times. In a letter obtained by Front Office Sports, the workers stated, "Any partnership between Kalshi and The Athletic would threaten our journalistic independence across the company."
The union also pointed to past New York Times reporting that characterized Kalshi as an "illegal operation," according to the letter. The workers argued that despite management’s claims of The Athletic and The New York Times being separate entities, their journalism is intertwined.
The letter was reportedly approved unanimously by the Times Guild Unit Council and The Athletic’s contract action team and was sent to New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, Athletic publisher David Perpich, and senior editors at both publications. However, a source familiar with the matter told Front Office Sports that the union’s objections played no role in The Athletic's decision to drop the sports betting or prediction-market tie-up, stating that the union’s letter "did not prompt or play any role in it."
Sources informed Front Office Sports that The Athletic staff had been notified of the decision a few days prior to the report. Discussions between The Athletic and Kalshi had reportedly "evolved over time." The Athletic and Kalshi were reported to be in advanced talks for a potential sponsorship agreement last month.
Kalshi has been actively expanding its presence in sports and media, securing sponsorships with entities like the US Open and integrating its data into broadcasts on CNN and CNBC. A spokesperson for Kalshi stated, "Kalshi forecasts are generated by millions of people trading — no elite, pundit, or top-down editorial process stands in front of the crowd’s collective wisdom."
Recent weeks have also seen legal challenges to Kalshi's sports event contracts. New Jersey's attorney general has asked the Supreme Court to consider regulating prediction markets like Kalshi, potentially leading to their prohibition in the state. Additionally, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Nevada can enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi.
The New York Times Company acquired The Athletic for $550 million in 2022. Approximately 200 editorial employees at The Athletic announced plans to unionize in January 2025 and sought to join the Times Guild, though Athletic management favored a separate bargaining unit.