NBA referees are experiencing increased harassment and threats from sports bettors, particularly through social media, as legal sports betting expands across the United States. The National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) recently highlighted this growing concern.

The NBRA, which represents officials in the NBA, WNBA, and G League, shared a disturbing example where a bettor sent threatening messages to an official's wife. This incident represents a broader pattern of abuse facing sports officials.

The issue gained additional attention following Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr's recent criticism of officials after a one-point loss to the Houston Rockets. While the NBA's Last Two Minute Report confirmed the contested call was correct, the NBRA emphasized that such public criticism from coaches and players can encourage further harassment.

The NBRA stressed several key points in their statement:

• Threats of violence against referees and their families are unacceptable
• Officials and their families are receiving increasingly hostile messages
• The anonymity of social media shouldn't shield those making threats
• Public figures should recognize how their words can influence fan behavior

This situation parallels similar concerns raised by NCAA President Charlie Baker, who has advocated for stricter regulations on player prop bets to protect athletes from betting-related harassment. As sports betting continues to expand, with Missouri becoming the 39th state to legalize it, the need for better protections for officials and their families becomes increasingly urgent.

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