Basketball Australia’s (BA) Integrity Unit, in collaboration with Victoria Police, has announced the arrest of a 37-year-old man over a racially abusive social media message sent to a National Basketball League (NBL) player.
The incident, reported in November 2024, marks a significant step in the fight against online abuse in sport and sets a precedent for legal intervention in athlete-targeted harassment.
The Integrity Unit identified the alleged perpetrator after receiving a report of a direct message containing racial abuse. The information was escalated to Victoria Police, resulting in the arrest of a Huntingdale man on 2 July.
He has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and was granted bail. The case is set to be heard at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 15 August.
In a statement, a BA Integrity Unit spokesperson said the case highlights the legal consequences of targeting athletes online and reinforces the organisation’s zero-tolerance stance on abuse.
“Every athlete deserves to compete in a safe environment, free from abuse,” the spokesperson said. “There are laws that govern appropriate behaviour towards athletes, and this action sends a strong message: hateful messages will not be tolerated.”
BA praised the bravery of the athlete involved and reaffirmed its commitment to building a respectful sporting culture in collaboration with law enforcement and league stakeholders.
This case sets a precedent for the application of legal and governance frameworks designed to safeguard players and reinforces the role of sport integrity bodies in addressing online harm.
Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.
Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) has announced an exciting development for the SEN Tassie...
Leading digital outdoor media company QMS has announced its partnership packages for the...
The New England Revolution has announced a landmark partnership with Más Latino, designed...
Join the most engaged community in the Sports Business World.
Get all the latest news, insights, data, education and event updates.