Caroline Garcia rejected a $270,000 sponsorship from a betting company, choosing athlete dignity over easy money in a sport poisoned by gambler rage.
Garcia’s Bold Rejection of Betting Money
Caroline Garcia, former world No. 4 tennis player, and her husband Borja Duran launched Tennis Insider Club in 2024. The podcast features raw interviews with top players on careers and mental health struggles. On December 7, 2025, they rejected a $270,000 sponsorship offer from an unnamed betting company. Garcia announced the decision on X, declaring she refused to contribute to a system fueling addiction, destroying lives, and targeting athletes daily. This choice came months after her retirement.
Retirement and the Abuse That Preceded It
Garcia announced her retirement in May 2025 before Roland Garros. She played her final match, a first-round loss at the US Open in August 2025. During her career, she endured hundreds of abusive messages after losses. She linked much of this hate to disgruntled bettors upset over gambling outcomes. A 2024 Reuters report confirmed bettors send nearly half of players’ abusive social media comments. Players like Gael Monfils have publicly called out these harassers. Tennis governing bodies now collaborate on anti-abuse measures.
Stakeholders and Their Motivations
Garcia, aged 31, and Duran co-host the podcast, prioritizing values over money to build trust for honest player stories. The betting company targeted the platform’s rising popularity for exposure. Tennis peers rallied behind Garcia: Kim Clijsters called it a strong stance, Alizé Cornet demanded more such actions, and Chris Eubanks praised her resolve. Governing bodies indirectly benefit from her voice against gambling pressures. Garcia holds power as ex-top player and podcast owner, amplifying community support.
This Is Why We Turned Down $270,000
Today we turned down a $270,000 sponsorship offer from a betting company for our podcast.
It’s a huge amount of money, especially for an independent sports show and for me, someone who just retired from pro tennis.
But here is why we said no.… pic.twitter.com/yIGSM0vufs— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) December 7, 2025
Immediate Reactions and Lasting Ripples
Garcia clarified she judges no casual bettors but commits to her podcast’s mission of unfiltered truths. Media coverage exploded on December 11, 2025, via tennis.com and SI.com. Meike Babel analyzed the decision positively on YouTube December 12, calling it huge for player control amid daily abuse. Short-term, the podcast gains credibility and attracts ethical sponsors. Long-term, it sets a precedent for athlete media rejecting gambling ties, pressuring tours to curb partnerships. Tennis players and fans gain an amplified anti-hate advocate.
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Caroline Garcia says she turned down $270,000 sponsorship offer from betting company for podcast
Tennis legend rejects $270k sponsorship from gambling company