WNBA players face harassment from prediction market bettors, with Ogwumike calling the platforms unsafe. A recent NCAA study found nearly half of Division I men's basketball players received abuse from someone who placed a bet.
01Summary
- 01Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBA Players Association, warned at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on Tuesday that prediction markets are creating safety threats for players.
- 02Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket hit a combined weekly volume of $22.2 billion last week, driven by NFL and NCAA trading.
- 03A 2025 NCAA study found 46% of Division I men's basketball players said the highest rate of negative or threatening messages came from someone who placed a bet on their game.
- 04The NBA and WNBA announced a responsible gaming campaign on Tuesday, partnering with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
- 05Ogwumike said the players' association and WNBA offer resources to address safety issues, but added that players still experience threats that can affect their performance.
02Why it matters
The rise of prediction markets in sports betting is directly risking athletes' mental health and safety, with a growing number receiving abuse linked to bets. This highlights the need for stronger protections as betting volumes hit record highs.
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