NCAA President Charlie Baker Speaks Out Against Abuse of Players During March Madness
College Leadership Issues Alarm Over Potential Exploitation of Athletes During March Madness Tournament, Anticipating Repository of $3.1 Billion Revenue
NCAA President Charlie Baker used a national TV spot ahead of the start of March Madness to highlight the increased abuse players will face during the tournament. With an estimated $3.1 billion in bets expected, Baker expressed concerns about the impact on players.
The Brutal Reality of Online Abuse
On CBS Evening News, Baker drew attention to the harsh reality of online abuse from desperate bettors when player performances don't meet expectations. Aaron Hornet, known for his wild rants on sports radio, has been accused of verbal attacks on players, shouting, "Do better! I'm losing money on you!"
Baker emphasized that online abuse is far worse and more vicious than any court-side abuse players may endure during March Madness.
Addressing the Issue
Baker recognizes that state gaming regulators play a significant role in addressing the issue of prop bets and their impact on player welfare. The NCAA is urging state gaming entities to take action on the dangers of prop bets.
"It's a bad situation," said Baker. "We now have about half of the states where prop betting on college sports is not allowed. We've got to work on the other half. It's a bad situation."
Combating Online Abuse
To combat online abuse of March Madness athletes and the impact of prop bets, several measures are being implemented:
Regulatory and Educational Efforts:
- The NCAA has intensified its responsible gambling campaigns, with a stronger focus on player education.
- Legislative actions like New York's Senate Bill S7482 aim to study and combat gender-based online harassment linked to sports betting during March Madness.
Anti-Harassment Initiatives:
- Digital safety programs, such as Freedom2Hear, provide AI-driven moderation tools and mental well-being training to help athletes manage online abuse.
- Athletes receive guidance on documenting and reporting abusive posts, with crisis management support for severe cases.
- Gender-specific protections are being implemented due to the disproportionate amount of abuse received by female athletes during March Madness.
Betting-Related Risks and Responses:
- The connection between prop bets and harassment is growing, and there is increasing pressure on regulatory bodies to remove markets that incentivize abuse.
- Cases like Jontay Porter's lifetime NBA ban demonstrate strict penalties for bet-related misconduct, which colleges now use as cautionary examples.
- Some programs are delaying lineup announcements to reduce insider betting, but experts argue for earlier injury disclosures to minimize speculative harassment.
As the sports betting market continues to grow, efforts are being made to balance athlete safety with market growth while addressing the issue of online abuse during high-profile events like March Madness.
- NCAA President Charlie Baker has raised concerns about the increased online abuse that players may face during March Madness, due to the estimated $3.1 billion in sports-betting activities.
- The NCAA has intensified its responsible gambling campaigns, with a stronger focus on player education, as a measure to combat online abuse during March Madness.
- Digital safety programs, such as Freedom2Hear, are being implemented to provide AI-driven moderation tools and mental well-being training to help athletes manage online abuse during March Madness.
- There is increasing pressure on regulatory bodies to remove sports-betting markets that incentivize online abuse, particularly in regard to prop bets, during high-profile events like March Madness.
