NCAA takes issue over March Madness name usage by Kalshi

• NCAA asks Kalshi to stop using the March Madness trademark to describe event contracts that it offers on its platform
• The association insists that this creates a false narrative of the NCAA endorsing prediction markets
• NCAA President Charlie Baker has already commented on prediction markets in December, arguing that they did not align with the association’s values

The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has issued a request to Kalshi to stop using its "March Madness" trademark in relation to its betting markets.

NCAA asks Kalshi to discontinue mentions of Mthe arch Madness trademark

This appears to be at least the second time that the NCAA has objected to the use of the March Madness wording in Kalshi’s prediction market platform, with the association arguing that the company could have opted for the use of something generic, such as a "basketball tournament."

In a statement released to GamblingHarm.org on Friday, February 20, the association said:

"The NCAA has previously addressed issues with Kalshi illegitimately using NCAA marks for their offerings. This continues to be a misrepresentation of any NCAA involvement, and we have requested immediate removal of NCAA trademarks."

The NCAA is worried that the use of March Madness could create a false narrative that it endorses prediction markets, which it does not. The NCAA has similarly objected to sports betting and has reneged on a promise to allow student athletes to bet on mainstream sports events.

In December, NCAA President Charlie Baker also let it be known that the association does not approve of prediction markets and does not believe the business model aligns with the NCAA’s inherent values.

However, most of the association’s efforts have been focused on cracking down on proposition bets, student athlete betting, and match-fixing, with numerous prominent cases undermining the integrity of the competition

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