NCAA Takes Action Against Online Abuse with Bad Actor Program

The NCAA has announced its participation in the Bad Actor Program, an initiative aimed at protecting student-athletes from online abuse. The program is designed to identify instances of abuse and pinpoint those responsible. This move comes as a response to the increasing amount of abuse directed at athletes and staff from irate gamblers who vent their frustration through threats of violence and worse.

The Bad Actor Program will not only protect athletes but also staff members such as coaches and officials who often face similar abuse. The NCAA hopes that by joining this program, it will be able to track abusive behavior more effectively and take appropriate action by notifying stakeholders and law enforcement. The focus is on identifying the individuals responsible for the abuse.

NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized that there is no place for harassment in college sports and that the association is taking all necessary steps to curb this trend. The program combines social media monitoring and investigative capabilities to provide participating organizations with information that can support accountability measures, including banning individuals from participating betting platforms.