NHL Becomes First Major Sports League to License Trademarks to Prediction Markets

The NHL has entered multi-year licensing agreements with prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket, marking a significant first for a major U.S. professional sports league. This partnership allows the platforms to use NHL trademarks and competes with established sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel. The move comes as prediction markets see unprecedented growth, with weekly trading volumes surpassing $2 billion, driven primarily by sports betting, which generated $414.7 million last week alone. NHL Business President Keith Wachtel highlighted that partnering with these market leaders enhances fan engagement during the NHL season. This endorsement may encourage other major leagues to follow suit as prediction markets continue to gain traction. Both platforms have benefited from increased regulatory clarity and user activity, establishing themselves as credible competitors in the evolving sports betting landscape. Kalshi, recently valued at $5 billion, and Polymarket, at $9 billion, have reported substantial user engagement, with Polymarket recently reclaiming its market lead. The NHL’s collaboration is likely to further enhance these platforms' visibility and credibility as they diversify into real-world events beyond sports.

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