PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James' reported $15 million-a-year endorsement deal with prediction market Polymarket is drawing growing scrutiny across the NBA, as the league confronts the expanding role of betting-style platforms in professional sports and the outside money flowing to its biggest stars.

The deal, first reported by Front Office Sports in mid-September, will pay James nearly four times the roughly $3.9 million he is expected to earn this season from the Philadelphia 76ers, whom he joined this summer on a two-year, $8 million contract.

There is no evidence the agreement violates NBA rules or that the 76ers had any role in arranging it. Still, the timing and size of the deal have prompted debate among commentators about whether the league's rules have kept pace with the money surrounding its players.

Endorser, not investor

According to Front Office Sports, James is not an investor in Polymarket.

"James is not an investor in Polymarket, just an endorser, one source says," Front Office Sports reported, adding that his promotional work would focus on football rather than basketball.

James has already appeared in a Polymarket commercial alongside former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter and retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. A source told Front Office Sports that Jeter and Manning also have endorsement agreements with the company, though their deals are smaller than James'.

The duration of James' deal has not been disclosed. His move to Polymarket follows the expiration of his previous endorsement agreement with sportsbook operator DraftKings.

James, 41, has earned nearly $600 million in NBA salary over his career and has a........

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