NCAA Partners with Signify to Combat Athlete Harassment Online
Date: 2024-01-14 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: SPORTS BETTING
Addressing a Growing Issue
The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) is deeply concerned about the increasing cases of online harassment faced by young athletes, especially due to the surge in sports betting. Athlete harassment by disgruntled bettors has become a serious problem that the NCAA is determined to address.
Betting-Related Threats on the Rise
The widespread legalization of sports betting has only aggravated this problem, leading to an alarming number of angry bettors reaching out to athletes online with threats and harassment. The recent launch of legal betting in Vermont and the upcoming launch in North Carolina have raised further concerns about the mental well-being of young athletes.
Alarming Statistics
Shockingly, approximately 10% of Division I campus administrators are aware of at least one athlete who has been harassed online, underscoring the gravity of the issue.
NCAA's Commitment to Change
In his inaugural address, Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA, expressed deep concern over the spike in online harassment directed at athletes and sports industry personnel. However, he assured everyone that the NCAA is fully committed to addressing this issue.
A Powerful Partnership with Signify
To tackle this problem effectively, the NCAA has joined forces with Signify, a data science specialist known for its work with organizations like the NBA Player Association and the WNBA.
Threat Matrix AI to the Rescue
Signify will employ its cutting-edge Threat Matrix AI-powered service, set to launch in January, to identify and analyze online abuse. This system will monitor athlete harassment across major social media platforms, offering support for 35 languages, thereby breaking down language barriers to identify threats and harassment more effectively.
Cracking Down on Online Abuse
The partnership will focus on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X, promptly reporting cases of player harassment. The comprehensive reporting procedures will provide the NCAA with vital data for further educational and policy developments. Importantly, Threat Matrix will collaborate with social media platforms to remove instances of abuse.
NCAA's Pledge to Protect Young Athletes
President Baker emphasized the NCAA's commitment to eliminating the "ugly, nasty stuff" directed at young athletes. He pledged to utilize Signify's solution to combat abuse and trace it back to its source if necessary.
The NCAA continues to prioritize the protection of young players and the integrity of college sports, particularly in the face of growing challenges posed by the world of sports betting.
