NCAA Study Shows Surge in Athlete Abuse

A recent NCAA study, conducted in collaboration with Signify Group, reveals a significant surge in social media abuse towards college athletes during March Madness, with women basketball players targeted three times more than their male counterparts. The study found that 8 out of 10 abusive posts occurred during the NCAA tournament, with one athlete receiving over 1,400 abusive messages in two weeks. Notably, 12% of these abusive messages were linked to 'angry sports bettors' who target athletes after losing bets, with women receiving approximately 59% more abuse than men. The NCAA has referred 96 accounts to law enforcement due to violent threats, including one involving harm with a spiked bat. The analysis only included public messages, suggesting the actual extent of abuse may be larger considering private messages. This study highlights an urgent need for action to protect athletes from escalating online harassment driven by sports betting outcomes.