How concerned are you about rising online harassment of NCAA coaches and officials during March Madness?
Shift in NCAA Tournament Harassment: Players See Relief as Coaches, Officials Face Surge
A recent study by Signify Group, commissioned by the NCAA, analyzed more than one million public social media posts during the 2025 NCAA basketball tournaments. The findings showed a significant reduction in abuse aimed at players—just 15% of flagged posts—while abuse related to betting also declined. However, online harassment of tournament officials, selection committee members, and coaches sharply increased. North Carolina’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham, who chaired the men’s selection committee, reported receiving hundreds of angry and threatening emails. The shift in abuse patterns highlights how tournament outcomes and bracket decisions fuel fan frustrations, moving the target away from players but placing additional strain on coaches and officials. This evolving trend raises concerns about the growing hostility faced by non-player figures in college sports.
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