NCAA Renews Agreement with Genius Sports to Ban Player-Based Prop Bets

The NCAA has announced a renewed partnership with Genius Sports, aimed at eliminating player-specific prop bets in college sports. In exchange for real-time statistics from March Madness and other championship events, bookmakers must discontinue wagering on individual performances.

Genius Sports, a data provider for sportsbooks, will continue this arrangement until the 2031-32 NCAA championships. The existing contract includes the development and support of live statistics and licensing data to third parties, although sportsbooks were previously restricted from receiving this data. The new deal removes that restriction.

While the financial terms have not been disclosed, the new agreement could boost NCAA revenue through the sale of licensed data to sportsbooks. Both the NCAA and Genius will benefit from the fees collected from these sportsbooks.

Sportsbooks can still access publicly available NCAA data without buying it from Genius, but licensed data is preferred for accuracy and integrity monitoring. NCAA President Charlie Baker has been advocating for a ban on prop bets related to individual player performance for over a year, as these bets are deemed more susceptible to manipulation.

Under the new agreement, sportsbooks will have access to NCAA data only if they eliminate risky bets and fully cooperate with NCAA investigations, including providing geolocation and device information. The NCAA retains the right to revoke licenses if integrity protections are compromised.

The NCAA seeks to ensure that licensed data improves not only integrity monitoring but also helps combat online harassment of athletes by bettors. Similar partnerships exist between Genius Sports and major leagues like the NFL and the English Premier League.

In light of the growing sports betting landscape following a Supreme Court ruling in 2018, the NCAA continues to prohibit athletes and personnel from wagering on sports. Despite easing some penalties for off-sport betting, severe consequences remain for gambling that affects the integrity of competition. The NCAA aims to use the increased revenue from Genius to fund educational initiatives about the risks of sports betting and address harassment issues, as online abuse of athletes has surged with gambling legalization.