Key Highlights:

1. Reduced Harassment: The NCAA observed a decrease in player abuse during the 2025 March Madness tournaments.
2. Partnership with Signify: The NCAA partnered with Signify to monitor and address social media abuse targeting student-athletes.
3. Enforcement Actions: Law enforcement was notified about 10 instances of online threats, highlighting the seriousness of the abuse.

Introduction

The NCAA has reported a positive trend concerning the welfare of its student-athletes. During the 2025 March Madness men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments, there was a noticeable decline in instances of player abuse. This development comes as a relief to many, reflecting the efforts made to protect athletes from harassment, particularly from disgruntled sports bettors.

Signify’s Role in Monitoring Abuse

In late 2023, the NCAA took a significant step to safeguard its athletes by contracting the Signify Group. Signify’s Threat Matrix is a sophisticated tool designed for social media monitoring, aimed at detecting online abuse directed at players, coaches, and officials.

1. Monitoring Scope: Signify tracked social media activity related to 2,032 players, 346 coaches, 136 teams, and 269 officials and selection committee members.
2. Analysis Findings: Out of over a million posts mentioning these individuals, approximately 55,000 were flagged for further review, with 3,161 confirmed as abusive or threatening.

Decline in Abuse: A Closer Look

The collaborative efforts between the NCAA and Signify have led to a significant reduction in abusive interactions.

1. Overall Reduction: There was a 23% decrease in abuse across all participants linked to sports betting in 2025.
2. Gender-Specific Trends: Abuse related to women’s sports saw a 66% decrease, while men’s sports experienced a 36% decline.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: The NCAA’s “Don’t Be a Loser” campaign has played a role in discouraging negative behaviors towards athletes.

Law Enforcement Involvement

The effectiveness of monitoring efforts is underscored by the involvement of law enforcement in serious cases.

1. Active Monitoring Platforms: Signify’s Threat Matrix scrutinizes social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
2. Investigations and Referrals: Out of 103 investigations into threatening content, 10 were severe enough to warrant referrals to law enforcement agencies.

Athlete Experiences

The impact of these measures is evident from the experiences of athletes like Chandler Prater, a Mississippi State women’s team player. Despite facing significant online abuse after a game, the support from the NCAA and Signify was instrumental in managing and mitigating the harassment.

Conclusion

The NCAA’s initiative to reduce harassment of its student-athletes, in partnership with Signify, has marked a significant step forward in creating a safer environment for college athletes. The decline in abuse during the 2025 March Madness tournaments is a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts. As the NCAA continues to prioritize the well-being of its athletes, it sets a standard for other organizations to follow in combating online harassment.

FAQs

Q: What led to the decrease in player abuse during March Madness 2025?

A: The partnership between the NCAA and Signify, improved monitoring tools, public awareness campaigns, and the potential for criminal prosecution all contributed to the decline.

Q: How does Signify’s Threat Matrix work?

A: It monitors social media for abusive content directed at athletes, coaches, and officials, flagging posts for further review and action if necessary.

Q: What actions are taken when abuse is confirmed?

A: Confirmed abusive posts are reported to the relevant social media platforms and, in serious cases, to law enforcement.

Q: How did public campaigns affect sports betting-related abuse?

A: Campaigns like “Don’t Be a Loser” have resonated with the public, significantly reducing betting-related abuse, especially in women’s sports.