“Disappointed in this collab” – Fans rip Ronald Acuña Jr. over sports betting brand promotion

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. faced significant backlash from fans online after starring in a promotional campaign for prediction market platform Kalshi. Acuña became the first active MLB player to partner with such a platform, with the 30-second commercial airing on October 7 during the broadcast of the Braves' season-ending 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLDS.

Supporters criticized both the promotion of a betting platform and the timing of the advertisement, which coincided with Acuña's difficult postseason where he failed to record an extra-base hit or RBI. Amid the criticism, former MLB outfielder Cameron Maybin suggested on social media that the New York Yankees should pursue a trade for Acuña in the offseason.