NBA Star Kevin Durant Facing Backlash After Latest Announcement

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant made history this summer when he became USA Basketball's all-time leading scorer at the Olympics. Also winning his record-setting fourth gold medal, Durant became the most decorated U.S. Men's Basketball player ever.

Entering his 17th NBA season, Durant is one of the league's most accomplished active players. Along with his success on the court, Durant has made several big moves off the court in his NBA career.

Recently purchasing a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, Durant was able to bring this new business venture together while in Paris. While this investment is perhaps the most notable move Durant has made off the court this summer, it is not the only one.

In an announcement on Friday, September 6, Durant joined the Up & Adams show to reveal that he is now a FanDuel partner.

"Yeah, partnering with FanDuel," Durant told show host Kay Adams. "I'm excited to be here, man... Pick some NFL games, have some fun. FanDuel is for everyday people, man. Everybody is watching football together, it feels like, through FanDuel. I wanted to be a part of that."

Durant has been facing a lot of backlash for this latest announcement, with many fans believing professional athletes should not partner with betting companies.

Via @DrewGarrison : "How is active players partnering with sportsbooks not an enormous problem?"

While Durant is not joining FanDuel to discuss basketball, fans still believe this partnership is an issue.

Via @TheLukeJohnson6 : "I know its not basketball, but an active professional athlete being under contract with a sportsbook seems like an ethical issue that the sporting world isn't capable of handling."

FanDuel's post on X received 70 quotes in just two hours, with many calling out Durant for accepting a partnership like this.

Via @PropDr_ : "It is INSANE that an active player can take partnership money from a sportsbook."

As many fans have pointed out, Durant is not the only active NBA player with a betting partnership. For example, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is partnered with DraftKings.

James shot a DraftKings advertisement with comedian and actor Kevin Hart that was uploaded to Instagram on September 1. Like the comments Durant received, James also received several comments criticizing his decision to partner with DraftKings.

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