NCAA and Genius Sports Extend Partnership to Protect College Athletes

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Genius Sports have announced an extension of their partnership through 2032, reinforcing Genius Sports' role as the exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks. A significant aspect of this agreement is the prohibition of "negative prop bets," which involve wagering on individual athletes' underperformance. This measure aims to protect college athletes from online abuse and social pressure associated with such bets.

NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the importance of this prohibition, stating, "For them to continue to access our data moving forward, there can't be any sportsbook betting on negative props." He highlighted that such bets have contributed to some of the worst behavior directed at young student-athletes.

The decision to ban negative prop bets comes in response to growing concerns over the impact of sports betting on college athletes. A 2024 study documented over 5,000 abusive social media posts directed at athletes, with approximately 12% related to sports betting. March Madness participants, particularly female basketball players, were primary targets, receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.

Athletes have reported being pressured to influence game outcomes to fulfill bets, encountering both online and in-person coercion. Baker noted that such social pressure, especially from peers on college campuses—where a high percentage of students participate in sports betting—undermines athlete well-being.

The partnership extension also includes enhanced integrity safeguards to protect student-athletes and ensure fair play. These measures involve proactive monitoring and responsible gaming practices to prevent potential abuses associated with sports betting.

Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke expressed enthusiasm about the extended partnership, stating, "This extension is a powerful endorsement of our vision—delivering cutting-edge data solutions to support NCAA schools while connecting our sportsbook partners with the highest quality NCAA official content."

The NCAA is also advocating for state regulations to ban college prop bets, as more than half of U.S. states currently permit them. Baker has been vocal in urging states with legal sports wagering to ban prop bets on college athletes, highlighting that such bets contribute to the harassment of student-athletes and threaten the integrity of competitions.

Some states have already taken steps to ban or limit prop bets on college athletes. For instance, Ohio's Casino Control Commission decided to ban such bets, citing threats and harassment faced by athletes and potential integrity problems for competitions.

The American Gaming Association has expressed concerns that banning legal wagering on college player propositions might drive bettors to illegal and offshore sportsbooks, potentially hindering the ability to monitor and detect suspicious betting behavior.

This partnership extension and the associated prohibition of negative prop bets represent a significant step in the NCAA's ongoing efforts to protect student-athletes from the adverse effects of sports betting. By addressing these concerns, the NCAA aims to uphold the integrity of collegiate sports and ensure a safe environment for its athletes.