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America\u2019s biggest professional sports leagues are joining forces to target betting-related abuse, but the WNBPA isn\u2019t happy about being left out.<\/p>\n
The NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS, alongside their respective players\u2019 unions, released a joint statement Tuesday calling for stronger action against bettors who threaten or harass players, coaches and their families, according to Yahoo Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cThreatening the safety of an athlete or their family members over a sports bet crosses a bright ethical and criminal line, and it is entirely unacceptable,\u201d the leagues said in the joint statement.<\/p>\n
The group is asking state gaming commissions and regulatory authorities to introduce tougher measures for abusive bettors.<\/p>\n
Among the proposed changes are mandatory lifetime bans from sportsbooks and mobile betting platforms for individuals who threaten or harass people involved in professional sports.<\/p>\n
The leagues also want betting operators to establish streamlined systems for reporting evidence of harassment to authorities, while proactively monitoring, flagging and banning accounts connected to abusive behavior.<\/p>\n
The move comes as legalized sports betting has become increasingly intertwined with professional sports. The NFL, NBA and MLB are among the leagues with official relationships with major betting operators, while numerous athletes across several sports have publicly spoken about receiving abuse connected to wagers.<\/p>\n
But one major group was missing from Tuesday\u2019s announcement: the WNBPA.<\/p>\n
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said the union wanted to be involved and directly criticized the NBA for its exclusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is deeply disappointing that, given the very public and troubling incidents of betting-related harassment experienced by our members over the past several seasons, the NBA determined that WNBA players did not warrant inclusion in a joint position statement intended to address this very issue,\u201d Jackson said<\/a> in a statement, according to Yahoo Sports.<\/p>\n The WNBA itself also maintains relationships with authorized gaming operators, while its players have been among those dealing publicly with betting-related harassment.<\/p>\n The dispute comes as leagues attempt to find a balance between their growing commercial relationships with the gambling industry and protecting athletes from abuse connected to betting outcomes.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Steve Kerr Speaks on Draymond Green\u2019s New Role<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n