Jay-Z has placed a $1 million bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Indiana Pacers in exactly five games during the 2025 NBA Finals. The wager was revealed in a joint social media post from Fanatics Sportsbook and Roc Nation, both of which Jay-Z is affiliated with. If his bet succeeds, he would receive a $3.3 million payout, earning a $2.3 million profit based on +230 odds.
The Thunder enter the Finals as strong favorites, with Fanatics Sportsbook listing them at -700 for the series. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City reached the Finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Indiana advanced by overcoming the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking their first Finals appearance since 2000.
Jay-Z’s decision to place a high-stakes bet generated discussion among fans online, with many reacting to his involvement in the sports betting space. Some compared the move to smaller-scale bets made by regular fans, while others commented on the entertainment value of seeing a prominent figure engage publicly with the Finals.
Beyond betting, Jay-Z has been active in the gambling industry through business efforts. He co-launched Fanatics Sportsbook in 2023 alongside CEO Michael Rubin. He is also part of a group that includes Roc Nation, SL Green, and Caesar Entertainment, working to secure approval to build a full-scale casino in Times Square. As part of the proposal, the team has pledged to invest $15 million in community initiatives across New York City.
Jay-Z previously described the project as a way to provide opportunities to neighborhoods in the city. He has not yet made a public statement regarding his 2025 NBA Finals bet.
