WNBA All-Star Says Prediction Markets Are Raising Player Safety Risks

WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike said the growth of sports prediction markets is bringing more hostility over athletes’ performances and raising safety concerns for players.

“It’s not a safe place for athletes,” Ogwumike said Tuesday at a summit in Santa Barbara, California. The 11-time All-Star said players are having a hard time managing the hostility tied to their performance.

Ogwumike said the WNBA and the players association offer resources to address safety concerns, but those measures do not prevent every incident. She said some of the experiences may affect players’ performance.

In 2025, more than half of Division I men’s basketball players had faced online harassment connected to how they played. Forty-six percent identified a bettor who had wagered on one of their games as a source of negative or threatening messages.

The NBA and WNBA announced a responsible-gaming campaign with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) on Tuesday. The effort aims to educate fans about risks associated with sports betting.