NCAA Joins Bad Actor Program to Curb Athlete Abuse
The association is partnering with IC360 and Signify Group to track and report online threats directed at student-athletes.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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The NCAA has become the first sports governing body to join the Bad Actor Program to combat abusive behavior toward athletes. The initiative utilizes advanced monitoring to identify individuals sending threatening messages and supports accountability measures, including potential bans from betting platforms.
Why it matters
This collaboration seeks to protect student-athletes, coaches, and officials from increasing levels of harassment on social media. By integrating investigative capabilities with sportsbooks, the NCAA aims to deter behavior often fueled by sports betting frustrations.
A recent NCAA study identified over 5,000 verified abusive posts, with 80% of identified abuse directed at March Madness participants. Sports betting was linked to 12% of total verified abuse and 19% of abuse specifically in men's basketball.
The players
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the governing body for college sports in the United States.
IC360
Integrity Compliance 360 is an organization focused on protecting the integrity of sports through compliance and monitoring.
Signify Group
This data science and research firm specializes in monitoring and analyzing online social media threats.
Fanatics Sportsbook
This digital betting platform serves as the inaugural sportsbook partner for the new reporting initiative.
The details
The program leverages monitoring tools to track and analyze online threats against collegiate participants. Information gathered is used to hold offenders accountable, with Fanatics Sportsbook acting as the first participating sportsbook partner.
Timeline
The NCAA began teaming with Signify Group in 2023.
Findings on the scope of harassment were released in 2024.
The GOALS study surveyed student-athlete abuse in 2025.
The NCAA announced its participation in the Bad Actor Program on October 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This program marks a shift toward formalizing safety protocols for athletes as sports betting becomes more integrated into the fan experience. By directly addressing the 46% of basketball players reporting contact from bettors, the NCAA is attempting to stabilize the competitive environment.
Student-athletes involved in high-stakes tournaments like March Madness are the primary focus of these new protections due to the disproportionate abuse they receive. This integration of monitoring services may lead to an increase in identified violations and subsequent bans from affiliated sports betting platforms.
The takeaway
The move highlights the growing necessity for governing bodies to protect athletes from the negative side effects of digital sports betting. Athletes should continue to report abusive messages as the association increases its monitoring and enforcement efforts.
Further reading
For more information on the association's response to these issues, see the United States Basketball coverage.
More information
Access direct tools and support regarding the initiative via the NCAA sports betting harm resources portal.
Live Poll
Should sports organizations take action against online users who harass college student-athletes?
