Former NBA Champion Joins Crypto Sportsbook Sportsbet.io

Posted on: January 22, 2025, 06:21h. 

Last updated on: January 22, 2025, 10:05h.

Cleveland Cavaliers center and former Khloé Kardashian love interest Tristan Thompson has inked a deal with crypto sports betting platform Sportsbet.io.

Tristan Thompson, Sportsbet.io, NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Thompson, above, in a publicity shot for Sportsbet.io. The NBA star says the deal marries his love of sports and cryptocurrency. (Image: Sportsbet.io)

The agreement will see the 33-year-old NBA champ become Sportsbet.io’s global brand ambassador, which involves sharing his views on the sports action, offering exclusive insights, and providing weekly betting tips across multiple sports, including NFL, European soccer, UFC, and more.

Thompson said in a statement that Sportsbet.io “brings together my two biggest passions: sports and cryptocurrency.”

Bullish on Bitcoin

The Canadian has been vocal in his support of cryptocurrencies. When Bitcoin ripped past $85K in value following Donald Trump’s election victory in November, Thompson took to social media to express his excitement.

Thompson’s bullishness for Bitcoin continued this week when he suggested on X that Trump’s inauguration could “spark a massive market pump.”

I’ve been following the crypto sector for some time now and have seen how transformative it can be,” Thomson said in a news release. “There’s no better place to combine that with my love of sports than Sportsbet.io.”

Welcoming Thompson on board, Shane Anderson, director of partnership, content, and brand at Sportsbet.io operator Yolo Entertainment, said the athlete’s “passion for both basketball and cryptocurrency makes him a perfect match for us.”

$42M Jackpot

Sportsbet.io claims to be the market-leading crypto sportsbook and was the first to introduce a cashout function for crypto bets. It was also the scene of the all-time biggest online slot jackpot win when a Sportsbet.io player won $42 million on Games Global’s WowPot!™.

Thompson will join a team of brand ambassadors including cricket legend Brett Lee and Kenyan rapper King Kaka. The brand is also an official partner of La Liga, Newcastle United, and Hull City.

Thompson is back playing for Cleveland after serving a 25-game suspension last year for testing positive for banned substances ibutamoren and SARM LGD-403.

He’s hoping that the in-form Cavaliers can emulate the success of 2016. That year, alongside LeBron James, Thompson was a member of the team that captured the franchise’s first NBA championship. The Cavaliers came from 3-1 down in the Finals to defeat the Golden State Warriors in seven games.