Navy’s Social Media Blasts Bettors Posting After Rice Loss: ‘That’s an Instant Block’

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVNovember 3, 2024

Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The X account for Navy Athletics drew a clear line in the sand when it comes to fellow users referencing any wagers they laid down.

During the Midshipmen’s 24-10 loss to Rice on Saturday, their account posted than “instant block” will be their response to any parlay-related messages:

Navy Athletics @NavyAthleticsJust so we are clear, we do not care who you bet on or who is involved in your parlays. That’s an instant block. WE DO NOT CARE

The sports betting market has exploded ever since numerous states across the country legalized the business. One consequence of that is that sports fans, who have more access to their favorite teams and players than ever, feel empowered to vent toward the source about whatever wagers they laid down.

Nameless administrators like those running Navy’s account aren’t the only ones being targeted, either.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant early Friday morning seemingly alluded to the gambling-focused messages he receives before telling off one fan specifically:

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5Great dub suns, and for my parlayers, better luck next time lol

Kevin Durant @KDTrey5Stop blaming me for losing money because you have a gambling problem

There’s a far more sinister side to this as well.

In October, the NCAA released the results of a study on the online harassment college athletes, coaches and officials receive. The study found that 12 percent of the abuse was betting-related.

The NCAA’s report said that 743 posts were flagged as abusive or threatening and included specific examples of users tagging athletes and making threats connected to betting parlays.

“It’s clear to us too … as the prevalence of sports betting went up, so did the prevalence of sports betting-related abuse,” said Clint Hangebrauck, the NCAA’s managing director of enterprise risk, in an interview with ESPN’s David Purdum.

Especially with X adopting a new policy toward the “block” feature, freezing out individual accounts is unlikely to achieve much. But it could at least limit the exposure the recipients have to threatening posts.