Venmo partners with NCAA to combat athlete harassment

In July 2023, Venmo established a partnership with the NCAA to tackle harassment that college athletes face on its payment platform. This initiative was sparked by incidents where athletes, like former Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne, received harassing payment requests following poor game performances from passionate fans and angry sports bettors. Recognizing the unacceptable nature of such harassment, NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the need for a collective effort from fans and online platforms to improve behavior. The partnership involves a reporting hotline for athletes to report abuse and provides best-practice safety guides to manage their accounts effectively. Moreover, Venmo plans to continuously monitor student-athletes' accounts, especially during critical game seasons, to mitigate the volume of unsolicited requests tied to game outcomes. In addition to supporting harassment victims, Venmo has capitalized on its popularity across college campuses by introducing branded debit cards that enhance the financial engagement among students, athletes, and their respective schools. This move ties into Venmo’s broader strategy of embedding itself into the financial lives of millions of users on campuses nationwide. PayPal, Venmo’s parent company, has also been actively engaging in partnerships with various collegiate sports divisions. Just a month prior to announcing the NCAA deal, PayPal secured an agreement with the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences, allowing schools to pay athletes directly through its PayPal platform. These efforts illustrate PayPal's commitment to adapting to the evolving sports and financial landscape in college athletics. The importance of creating a safer financial environment for athletes has been highlighted not only by Venmo and the NCAA but also by various stakeholders interested in advancing the welfare of college sports participants. In conclusion, the collaboration between Venmo and the NCAA seeks not only to provide immediate protective measures for athletes but also aims to foster a culture of respect and better behavior among fans. The initiative is part of a larger trend where technology companies and sports organizations recognize their social responsibilities in promoting safe and positive interactions in the highly scrutinized environment that student-athletes often navigate in today’s digital age.