The dark side of sports: athletes harassed by online gamblers
The world of sports, a space traditionally associated with competition and passion, is facing a growing problem: online harassment directed at athletes by bettors. This trend, exacerbated by the expansion of legal sports betting, has transformed the experience of athletes, who now have to deal with insults, threats, and requests for money through digital platforms.
Professional golfer Max Homa shared his experience in a press conference, revealing the negative impact of online anonymity. “It’s absurd how comfortable people feel writing horrible things,” he stated, alluding to the ease with which social media users express offensive comments. Homa mentioned that he prefers to interact with people in person, as he has rarely encountered someone who expresses negative comments directly.
An example of this harassment was a direct message on Instagram, where an anonymous user lashed out at Homa. In addition, she received a request for money via Venmo, with the argument that she had not achieved the expected performance. Faced with these situations, Homa responded with humor, but the reality is that these incidents are becoming more and more frequent.
Golfer Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one, chose to delete his Venmo account due to the constant requests for money he was receiving from fans. Scheffler explained that these interactions were unpleasant and that he preferred to avoid these types of situations.
The Venmo platform, designed to facilitate payments between users, has generated a dynamic that encourages social participation. In the age of social media, where anonymity allows users to express opinions without consequences, the incorporation of money into the equation has created a worrying precedent.
The Ottawa Senators NHL captain, Brady Tkachuk, had to change his name on Venmo because fans discovered his account and started interacting with him. Tkachuk expressed that now when he sends money to someone, they are likely to wonder who is sending them money.
Retired professional tennis player Mardy Fish shared his experience, highlighting that online harassment has added a new dimension to cruelty. Fish mentioned that the harassment becomes personal and offensive, and that athletes feel helpless in the face of this situation.
An anonymous survey of MLB players revealed that 78.2% of respondents believe that legal sports betting has changed the way fans treat players. Tkachuk stated that he has received numerous requests for money, including for individual plays, and that he finds the situation amusing.
In a celebrity golf tournament, a spectator shouted during Mardy Fish’s swing, causing him to miss the shot. Fish discovered that the spectator had bet on his opponent’s victory. These types of incidents, where bettors try to affect athletes’ performance, are becoming increasingly common.
In the realm of athletics, a bettor harassed Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas during an event, boasting that their actions had affected her performance. FanDuel, the betting platform, banned the bettor.
An intoxicated gambler sent death threats to the family of Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. after a poor performance. The MLB Players Association has taken steps to protect its players in serious situations.
Even college athletes, like quarterback Payton Thorne, have been targeted by bettors. Thorne joked about the money requests he was receiving on Venmo.
A study by the NCAA revealed that at least 12% of social media abuse directed at athletes is related to sports betting. The NCAA has implemented measures to mitigate the problem, and cases of abuse related to betting have decreased.
The legalization of sports betting, driven by the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, has transformed the sports landscape. While it has generated economic benefits, it has also led to an increase in harassment of athletes. A sports official noted that these problems were not as evident before legalization.
Sports betting encourages fan participation, but its use of social media and financial applications presents a worrying emotional dimension for athletes. Bettors, having an economic investment in the game, could feel that they are an active part of it, which leads them to believe that they have the right to demand from the players.
The current situation poses a challenge for athletes, who must deal with the pressure of competition and, now, with online harassment. It is essential that digital platforms and sports organizations take measures to protect athletes and ensure a safe and respectful environment.Brady Tkachuk tuvo que cambiar su nombre y foto de su cuenta de Venmo cuando los fanáticos la descubrieron.
La victoria de Stephen Curry en el Campeonato de Golf ACC de 2023 no estuvo exenta de controversia.Incluso atletas universitarios como Payton Thorne (desde entonces firmado con los Cincinnati Bengals) tienen que tomar medidas para evitar escuchar negatividad en Internet.
