College athletes frequently encounter abusive and vulgar messages from sports fans. For instance, Florida State forward Cam Corhen received hateful messages after a game, including one wishing harm to his family. Similar incidents affected North Carolina’s Armando Bacot soon after the state’s legalization of player prop bets on college sports.
The harassment of collegiate athletes linked to sports betting is a growing problem. A significant number of high-profile athletes receive abusive messages from individuals with gambling interests. These student-athletes face the daunting task of excelling in sports while managing academic responsibilities and maintaining a public profile, largely due to NIL incentives.
Federal legislation is needed to address this issue as legalized sports betting exacerbates fan harassment. Proposals include creating a national registry to ban individuals convicted of harassment related to sports betting and allowing athletes to sue for repeated harassment. Prop bets, allowing wagers on specific player stats, increase the risk of targeted abuse.
Some advocates suggest banning prop bets or college sports betting entirely. However, due to resistance from the gambling industry, federal legislation offers a quicker solution. Existing measures, such as the NCAA’s awareness campaigns, lack the necessary impact. Current state-based legal frameworks are too decentralized to provide consistent protection for collegiate athletes.
Congress is urged to establish a federal standard targeting online harassment linked to sports betting. Proposed legislation should criminalize conduct causing emotional distress, with New York’s Senate Bill serving as a model. The bill recommends designating individuals convicted of harassment as prohibited sports bettors.
This type of national legislation would provide consistent protection, allowing athletes to sue for abusive conduct and potentially recover monetary damages. Critics may argue freedom of speech concerns, but the legislation focuses on true threats and persistent harassment, which the Supreme Court does not deem protected speech.
A federal approach would ensure accountability regardless of location, moving beyond state-dependent systems. The goal is to protect collegiate athletes from unnecessary abuse, aligning with the pressure they willingly accept in competition. Addressing this issue goes beyond awareness, requiring accountability and protection for athletes.
Deymon X. Fleming, Jr. is a J.D. candidate at the University of Georgia School of Law.
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