There is a rising trend amongst athletes, irrespective of their sport, to vocalize a concern that has been largely kept in the shadows until now. They perceive a worrying association between sports leagues and betting firms, which seems to be engendering an environment that is increasingly dangerous, volatile, and even violent. The belief, quietly shared by many, has now been brought to light: the unrestricted acceptance of gambling by sports federations might line their pockets but could concurrently spell disaster for the players.
Over recent months, a succession of interviews has come to illustrate the enormity of this issue, each serving as a point of evidence in an alarming pattern. However, the scattered nature of these interviews has resulted in the broader pattern going unnoticed by many, leaving the severity of the issue largely unrecognised.
In one such telling example, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports illustrated this alarming trend through a riveting story of Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The report detailed the horrible abuse players have endured in connection with gambling, particularly in the wake of MLB’s alliance with betting firms, encapsulating the fear that consumes the players due to potential untoward incidents.
A poignant reflection of this trend was provided by Tennis star Jessica Pegula who, while reacting to a social media post concerning such abuse, said, ‘The constant death threats and family threats have become normal now. Whether we win or lose.’ This sentiment was corroborated by Coco Gauff who noted that a good day could be ruined by someone’s heedless and harmful comment like, ‘Go kill yourself.’
Part of this deluge of vitriol is what players are regrettably accustomed to receiving from fans. But what has amplified this issue is the severity and frequency of abuse and threats from gamblers, which has tragically been normalized.
While there isn’t a scientifically definitive study comparing the nature of threats athletes faced a decade ago to the present, the anecdotal evidence alone suggests that the danger from gambling-related abuse has escalated to an unprecedented extent.
San Francisco Giants’ ace player, Logan Webb, has spoken out about the vile direct messages he frequently receives via social media. He said, ‘People are really passionate about teams. Now, with money at stake, the passion, and thereby the menace, has ratcheted up more than ever. My initial time in the sport was replete with messages like ‘You are lousy, you should not be on the team’ and so on. But now, it’s worse.’
This brings us to the stark realization expressed by Garcia: the swollen inflow of betting enthusiasts due to sports alliances with gambling companies is leading to widespread harmful betting. Garcia critically notes, ‘The times when unhealthy substances like tobacco had sports sponsorship have thankfully been relegated to the past. Then why are we cheerleading for betting firms that are evidently acting as catalysts to derail peoples’ lives?’
Garcia’s statement also reflects a sense of nuance. She isn’t proposing an outright ban, as everyone reserves the right to spend their money as they deem fit. But her argument pertains to the promotion of such companies. She also raises a crucial question about online abuse and the lack of repercussions. Legal consequences await those who engage in such behaviour in public, so why should online spaces be any different? Should we reevaluate the concept of digital anonymity?
Indeed, we should reconsider the state of online anonymity. Coupled with that, there is another crucial step that sports leagues should undertake: ensuring better protection for their athletes. Their failure to do so thus far has left the landscape rather hostile for the key stakeholders of these games – the players.
It is clear that the current situation is untenable. With its unchecked enthusiasm for collaborating with betting firms, the sporting landscape is subjecting the very individuals whose relentless training and dedication make these games possible, to a barrage of harassment and threats.
The time has come to question the silence of sports leagues on this issue. The hands-off approach is yielding devastating results, leading athletes worldwide to live in perpetual fear. The action to be taken is fathomless, yet the need for change looms as large as the clouds of uncertainty that hang over the heads of these athletes.
While there have been sporadic conversations on this issue, the need for a broader, more systemic discussion is overwhelmingly clear. The responsibility primordially rests with sports leagues, governing bodies, and indeed, fans, to bring about this change to ensure a safer and healthier ecosystem for athletes.
The alarming trend of sportspersons becoming targets of threats and abuse due to their performances impacts the very integrity of the sport. The question is no longer whether actions should be taken to amend this situation. The question is what form this action may take, and who must lead the charge?