NCAA says online abuse related to sports betting declined during March Madness

The NCAA reported a decrease in online abuse related to sports betting during this year’s March Madness basketball tournaments compared to the previous year. Despite this positive trend, over 3,000 threatening messages were still directed at athletes, coaches, game officials, and selection committee members. The NCAA took proactive measures by hiring Signify Group to monitor and address these abusive messages. Using a combination of artificial intelligence and human analysts, Signify was able to identify and confirm threats, reporting them to law enforcement when necessary.

In a news release, the NCAA stated that abuse related to sports betting was down by 23% overall. The men’s March Madness bracket saw a lack of upsets this year, with all four No. 1 seeds advancing to the Final Four and Florida claiming the national title. On the women’s side, three top seeds made the national semifinals, and UConn emerged as the champion.

The NCAA’s analysis revealed a 140% increase in abusive statements directed at individuals involved in the men’s tournament, with much of the abuse targeted at the selection committee and coaches. However, abuse related to sports betting decreased by 36%. Conversely, abuse on the women’s side decreased by 83%, with a 66% decline in betting-related abuse.

One player who experienced online targeting was Chandler Prater of Mississippi State, who was guarding Southern California star JuJu Watkins when she suffered a season-ending knee injury. Prater received hateful and abusive messages, describing the experience as unlike anything she had ever faced.

Signify’s AI flagged over 54,000 posts during the tournaments, with human analysts confirming 3,161 messages as abusive or threatening. These messages were reported to social media platforms and occasionally to law enforcement, leading to the removal of abusive content and restrictions on social media accounts. NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the organization’s commitment to combating online harassment.

Signify CEO Jonathan Hirshler noted the reduction in sports betting-related abuse at the 2025 event, highlighting the significance of addressing such behavior to prevent more serious threats. The NCAA’s efforts to monitor and address online abuse during March Madness demonstrate a commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants and stakeholders.