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The Problem with Prop Bets
The recent betting scandal in baseball is not about money. Neither of the players accused of participating in the scheme appeared to be desperate for money. And the payment of $12,000 doesn’t seem like much for individuals making millions per year. This goes to show that many of these schemes rely on pressure and manipulation to get players to break the rules.
MLB is responding quickly, working with online sportsbooks to lower the amount that can be bet on live prop bets. The sportsbooks make a lot of money from parlays and prop bets, and they do not want to lose that revenue. Online betting relies on lots of small bets, not big bets. That said, player prop bets are one of the most profitable bets they have, and the leagues love them because they keep fans engaged regardless of the outcome of the game. That said, it is much easier to find a way to fix a prop bet than the outcome of a game. This is why it’s important to understand that any information you have could be used by people to try to game the system.
Pro sports are in the early stages of dealing with this type of fraud. Online sports betting has created thousands of possible prop bets across every type of sport. With live betting, a single person can place massive bets and win in seconds. This is too tempting for criminals. The good news is, everyone wants to find ways to prevent it from happening.
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Gambling on Sports
Red Flags Every Athlete Should Watch For:
A week or so ago Oklahoma QB John Mateer answered a simple question while picking up food at Chipotle. The employee asked Mateer about his thumb injury and if he planned to play against Texas. He said he was “100%” and planned to play. Another customer in line later posted the interaction on a Texas A&M message board, and the story quickly went viral.
Mateer later admitted the story was real, and acknowledged it was his fault for failing to “realize who I can trust and who I can’t trust”. Why does this story matter?
The betting line in early October with Mateer injured and potentially out for the Texas/Oklahoma game was Texas -5.5. When Mateer was upgraded to “probable” on October 10th the line moved to Texas -1.5.
The Chipotle leak occurred on October 1. So for nine days, people could use the information to decide to bet on the game. Now think about if only a few people had that “insider” information? That’s how games get fixed.
As an athlete you must be diligent and aware of what you say, who you say it to, and most importantly, why they are asking. Here’s a few red flags to keep in mind:
The “just a favor” request
Someone asks you to share inside info — injuries, lineups, or game plans — and says it’s harmless or “for fantasy.” It’s not. That’s insider betting, and you’re already in the danger zone.The “friend of a friend” who suddenly shows interest
When a stranger or distant acquaintance starts hanging around or DMing after games, asking about travel, performance, or teammates, assume there’s another motive.Offers that sound too casual
“All you have to do is miss a free throw,” or “no one will notice if you drop a pass.” These aren’t jokes. Even one moment tied to a bet can destroy your eligibility and reputation.Pressure through someone close to you
Bettors often target family or friends first. If anyone close to you says someone offered them money or gifts for information, report it right away. They’re trying to reach you through the people you trust most.Sudden gifts, cash, or “loans”
Even if no betting talk comes up at first, taking anything of value from someone connected to gambling or “sports analysis” groups puts you at risk.Social media DMs from betting accounts
Avoid anyone who asks for “insider insight” or sends betting links. Screenshot, block, and report it.
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When the Threat Gets Real: What to Do If Someone Tries to Blackmail You
Suppose anyone ever hints that they can pay you to influence a game, share insider info, or threatens to expose something personal unless you cooperate. In that case, you are in a very dangerous situation.
The first thing you must remember is you’re not alone and you’re not trapped. The people who run betting or game-fixing schemes want you to feel isolated so they can control you. They’ll tell you not to tell anyone, promise protection, or minimize what you’re doing and act like it’s “no big deal”. That’s a lie. The faster you report it, the faster you get out of their control.
Here’s what to do:
Cut off all contact immediately: Don’t argue, don’t negotiate, don’t try to explain. Take screenshots, save messages and stop replying.
Tell people you trust: Loop in your family, coaches, friends, anyone who helps you feel safe.
Tell your program: Every athletic department has staff to deal with gambling and integrity issues. Tell your coaches, the compliance office, anyone you think needs to know.
Call law enforcement if you feel unsafe: What these people are asking you to do are crimes, you have the right to protection.
Do not pay or agree to anything: Once you give them money or information, it confirms the leverage they have and they will come back for more.
The people running these schemes do not care about you or your career. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend, a booster or a stranger, the right move is always the same: stop contact, document everything, and report it immediately. Integrity issues end careers when they stay secret. The moment you speak up, you take the power back.
BRANDING:
Staying Real Without Damaging Your Brand
Every athlete has opinions. That’s part of being human. But in today’s world, one tweet, one story, or one comment can travel faster than anything you do on the field. The question isn’t whether you should have opinions, it’s how to handle them in ways that don’t cost you.
Politics, religion, and other hot-button issues pull people in fast. They spark emotion, and emotion drives engagement. The problem is, those posts that get you attention can also split your audience. A potential sponsor who liked your energy yesterday might hesitate today because they don’t want their logo caught in the crossfire. If you are working with smaller, local businesses, many can’t afford to lose business because of your opinions.
This is not about silencing yourself. It’s about understanding when to speak, when to listen, and when to keep your energy on what builds your brand.
It starts by knowing what you stand for before you put it online. Always take a beat before you post. Ask yourself if your words help or make things worse. If a topic is hot but doesn’t connect with who you are or your values as an athlete, why are you commenting? Don’t chase trending topics for short-term engagement. You should have a clearly defined strategy for your brand. If it doesn’t fit, then don’t post.
When it does fit, share with respect. People can disagree with your take and still respect the way you handled it. Athletes who last the longest don’t chase every headline.
Remember, you don’t need to pick a side in every debate. Protecting your brand doesn’t mean being fake, it simply means being smart. Think before you post, when you do post, do it respectfully, because what you say can open doors or close them for good.
NOTES & QUOTES
The NCAA’s new NIL Go system has cleared over $87 million in deals since June and flagged nearly $10 million for missing documentation.
Ohio high schools are putting high school NIL to a vote, while several other states are waiting on legislation or updates to existing laws. This will add more confusion as athletes look to transfer across state lines.
Small schools are building momentum in NIL. Schools like Coastal Carolina and Northern Iowa are landing regional deals by focusing on community partnerships instead of national brands.
Addidas and Patrick Mahomes have launched “Team Mahomes” NIL program focused on authentic storytelling and community work will get attention over follower count.
“Reputation is built when no one’s watching - and tested when everyone is.”
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