Given the increasing frequency and intimate nature of fan-player interactions, it is crucial to consider multiple factors at play. Although the majority of these interactions, whether in person or online, are positive, it is important to acknowledge the existence of several negative instances.
Regrettably, it is the negative instances that are once again taking the spotlight. The treatment of college and professional athletes by the general public, particularly the betting public, has raised significant concerns.
Mental health issues among athletes not improving, NCAA study finds
West Virginia sports betting enthusiasts have the convenience of choosing from a selection of eight online sportsbooks. These platforms enable bettors to wager on a wide range of college and professional sports events.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission’s contemplation of prohibiting individuals who harass collegiate athletes from betting on sports has prompted West Virginia to extend the scope of the issue. Now, they aim to include all athletes, both collegiate and professional, along with any coach or official associated with a game.
In May 2022, the issue at hand was tackled in a study conducted by the NCAA.
According to the study, there has been minimal change in the rates of mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression among student-athletes over the past two years, as they continue to report elevated levels of mental health concerns.
Many argue that the combination of the demanding nature of being an athlete and the external scrutiny athletes frequently encounter contributes significantly to the mental health challenges experienced by athletes across various sports.
During the previous session of the West Virginia Legislature, a House bill was proposed with the objective of addressing mental health challenges stemming from external factors, such as individuals experiencing distress due to gambling losses.
Authorities could only ban violators who bet in West Virginia
Despite not passing in the previous legislative session, West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluharty has expressed his determination to reintroduce the bipartisan bill, HB 3310, in the upcoming session, as he informed Play WV.
If individuals engage in harassing or harmful behavior towards anyone participating in a sporting event, the proposed legislation would grant the state Lottery Commission the authority to prohibit them from placing bets on sports.
Although the ban is currently limited to West Virginia, nationwide adoption could soon follow.
Naturally, implementing a national law would be a time-consuming process. Identifying offenders on social media would pose a challenge due to the prevalence of “burner accounts” with fake identities. Additionally, determining the boundaries of harassment and defining a “harmful pattern of conduct” are subjects of ongoing debate.
Certain interactions are undoubtedly clear violations, while others are more ambiguous. Can any harsh criticism from a player or coach be considered a violation?
Recent incidents are driving Ohio’s push to punish harassers
Finding examples of this unacceptable behavior in the wild is not difficult. Simply browse through Twitter after any close game or thrilling finish in sports. If a player or coach has the audacity to tweet within minutes or hours after the game, so-called “fans” will swiftly respond with criticisms of their performance.
Comments can be incredibly cruel and invasive, often without any reason or provocation. Dedicated fans often send unsolicited direct messages or leave comments on a player’s older social media posts.
Before the emergence of social media, long-lasting types of interactions like these were already in existence. However, Ohio’s endeavors to mitigate harassment can be attributed to recent incidents that are connected to the legalization of gambling within the state.
University of Dayton head coach Anthony Grant expressed his disapproval towards gamblers during a postgame press conference earlier this year. He shed light on the negative treatment his players received after a defeat, highlighting the hateful behavior directed towards them.
“I feel compelled to speak up because it has become absolutely imperative,” he expressed. “Recently, certain laws have been put into effect that, in my opinion, could significantly alter the essence of college sports. It deeply disturbs me when individuals make it all about themselves and target young athletes due to their personal motives. These athletes have families and should not be subjected to such treatment. The importance of mental health cannot be understated.”
No. 2 Ohio State suffered a shocking defeat in the first round of the 2021 NCAA tournament at the hands of No. 15 Oral Roberts. Despite a strong performance from Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell, who scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, his missed free throw in the final minute proved costly. This error enabled Oral Roberts to stay within a two-point margin and ultimately secure victory in overtime.
In no time, Ohio State’s loyal fanbase turned hostile towards Liddell, unleashing their fury. The young sophomore found himself subjected to death threats and relentless online bullying. Shockingly, someone went to the extent of threatening him with physical violence.
The problem had to be addressed by Ohio.
Iowa player told to kill himself after missing a shot
Regrettably, the issue surpasses the boundaries of Ohio and West Virginia.
In a pivotal men’s basketball game with postseason implications, Illinois emerged victorious with a narrow 74-72 win over Iowa in March 2022. Following a missed game-winning shot by Iowa sophomore Kris Murray, a fan directed a highly inappropriate comment towards him, urging him to take his own life.
In the earlier part of this year, Patrick McCaffery, a player from Iowa and the son of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, announced his decision to take an indefinite break from the team in order to focus on his mental health concerns.
Social media combined with gambling proliferation accelerates the issue
It seems that the rapid expansion of social media, along with the legalization of gambling and the emergence of the NIL era in college sports, has played a significant role in fueling these problems.
Conversely, the increased discussion surrounding mental health has facilitated its visibility and open discussion.
It’s a fact that fans have displayed poor sportsmanship throughout the history of sports, especially when faced with defeat. Competitions can be fiercely competitive, prompting opponents and their supporters to seize any opportunity to belittle and demean players on the opposing team.
The mistreatment of players, coaches, and officials by fans is not a recent phenomenon. Instances like the infamous “Malice at the Palace” in 2004 serve as a reminder of this. In that incident, fans threw beer and engaged in physical altercations with NBA players, resulting in a full-blown brawl. It’s important to note that sports betting was not yet legalized during that time, and social media was still in its early stages.
With the legalization of sports betting in numerous states, the frequency and inevitability of verbal attacks towards players, coaches, team staff, and officials have significantly increased, both in-person and on social media.
The misadventures of ‘Parlay Patz’
Benjamin Tucker Patz, also known as “Parlay Patz” in the gambling community, was among the initial individuals to exhibit excessive fervor towards athletes.
In 2019, Patz gained infamy for his impressive sports betting winnings, surpassing $1 million in just 50 days. However, his frustration with his gambling losses took a dark turn as he vented his anger through social media, targeting the players on the opposing teams. Patz’s daily rants involved terrifying college and professional athletes, with disturbing direct messages. Shockingly, he even went as far as making explicit death threats against the players, their families, spouses, and even their young children.
According to the official federal document from the U.S. District Court in Florida, Patz faced charges of “transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce.”
Upon examining the direct messages saved on the specified Instagram accounts, it was discovered that approximately 307 different accounts had been messaged. It was observed that the majority of these accounts had received messages containing explicit and threatening content. Most of the affected accounts were associated with professional or college athletes, or were linked to their family members or significant others.
Patz managed to evade imprisonment, however, he received a 36-month probationary period during which he was prohibited from participating in any form of gambling, betting, or wagering, whether it be online or in-person.
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