Five of the biggest sports leagues and players' unions have come together to try to crack down on sports bettors who threaten athletes.

The letter was sent out on Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2026 (via ESPN's Adam Schefter), and was signed by the NFL, the MLB, the NHL, the NBA, and MLS and their respective unions, like the NFLPA. The leagues want the gaming regulators to crack down on betting-related harassment of athletes, coaches, and families.

“On behalf of the five largest professional sports leagues and players associations, we write to you today regarding the escalating threat facing professional players, coaches, and officials: the continued harassment and violent threats from sports bettors,” the letter began. “While the expansion of legal, state-regulated sports betting has brought new ways for fans to engage with their favorite sports, it has also introduced some negative consequences for players and other personnel involved with professional sporting events.”

The letter explains that losing bettors have sent “threatening and harassing messages” to players, coaches, officials, and their families on social media and in person.

The NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL joined with their respective players’ unions today to crack down on betting-related harassment of athletes, coaches and families.
 
“Threatening the safety of an athlete or their family members over a sports bet crosses a bright ethical and criminal… pic.twitter.com/cRbDoCekYP

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2026

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“Threatening 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,” they wrote.

The sports leagues want gaming regulators to follow in Ohio, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Wyoming's footsteps and install lifetime bans for those who cross the line.

Some of the guidelines recommended include a mandatory lifetime ban, streamlined reporting mechanisms, and operator accountability.

“The safety and well-being of players, coaches, officials, and their families must always come before a wager,” the letter concluded. “As game participants do their utmost to protect integrity, abusive and violent threats should not serve as a deterrence from performing to their fullest.”

It remains to be seen how the letter will be responded to. Obviously, if players, coaches, officials, and their families are being threatened and harassed over lost bets, that crosses the line. Hopefully, a resolution is found soon.