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TIMES AND ATHLETIC WORKERS OPPOSE KALSHI BETTING DEAL

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
THU, SEP 3, 2026

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Unionized workers at The New York Times and The Athletic are demanding the company abandon its partnership with Kalshi, a prediction market platform. The workers argue the deal conflicts with journalistic integrity.

The NewsGuild, representing employees at both publications, formally opposed the Kalshi agreement, citing concerns about editorial independence and potential conflicts of interest. Kalshi operates a prediction market allowing users to bet on various outcomes, including news events. Workers worry the partnership could create incentives to shape coverage or create favorable betting conditions. The union's objection highlights ongoing tensions between media companies and emerging financial platforms. The Times and The Athletic face pressure to diversify revenue streams, but staff contend such partnerships undermine credibility. No immediate response from company leadership has been announced. The dispute reflects broader debates about how legacy news organizations balance financial pressures with editorial standards in an evolving media landscape.

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