Protecting Athletes and their Families from Cyber & Privacy Risks in the NIL Era
The NIL Edge – June 7, 2025
Weekly Update: Protecting Athletes and their Families from Cyber & Privacy Risks in the NIL Era
🎯 Stay Focused: Don’t Let Cyber Threats Derail Your Athletic Goals
In the high-stakes world of collegiate athletics, maintaining focus on training and performance is Job 1. The rise of NIL opportunities, however, have introduced new cyber and privacy risks that can both distract and cause serious harm to athletes and their families. From data breaches and financial fraud to online harassment and in-person stalking, understanding these threats is essential to safeguard your career, your money, and well-being.
🔓 Major Data Breaches Impacting Student-Athletes
PrepHero Exposure: Over 3 million records, including names, contact details, and passport information of student-athletes and coaches, were left unprotected on PrepHero’s recruitment platform. The unsecured database also contained 10GB of email communications spanning from 2017 to 2025.
University of Michigan Incident: A former assistant football coach allegedly exploited his access to university systems to steal intimate photos and private conversations from student-athletes across the country. The breach affected over 150,000 individuals and led to lawsuits citing the university’s allegedly inadequate cybersecurity measures.
🧠 Online Harassment and Its Toll
A recent NCAA study revealed that during March Madness, student-athletes and officials received nearly 4,000 abusive messages, with 80% occurring during the tournaments. These messages included death threats and gambling-related abuse, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
🚨 Real-World Stalking Incidents
The rise of NIL has increased athletes’ visibility, unfortunately making them targets for stalking and harassment:
Emma Raducanu’s Ordeal: During a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, British tennis star Emma Raducanu was visibly shaken after spotting a man in the crowd who had previously approached her at her hotel. She had to pause the match and seek refuge behind the umpire’s chair. The individual was removed and subsequently banned from all WTA events.
Olivia Dunne’s Airport Encounter: LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne shared a distressing experience where she was harassed by aggressive autograph seekers at airports. These individuals, often middle-aged men with stacks of photos, have made her feel unsafe during her travels.
Gabby Thomas’s Airport Stalking: Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas has expressed concerns about being stalked by a group of middle-aged men at various U.S. airports. In a TikTok video, she detailed frightening encounters with these men, who become aggressive and hostile when she refuses to sign numerous photos of herself. These men are reportedly following her across different cities, with access to her flight information, despite her stringent privacy measures. Thomas has documented some of these interactions on social media, revealing they lie about how they acquire her flight details. Feeling unsafe, Thomas is unsure how to address the situation and has sought advice on whether to involve police or airport security.
WWE’s Liv Morgan Stalker: A man exhibiting stalking behavior towards WWE star Liv Morgan was arrested outside the NXT Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Authorities confiscated multiple bags of evidence, highlighting the severity of the threat.
💸 Beware of NIL Scams: Protect Your Personal Information
Scammers are exploiting the excitement around NIL deals to target student-athletes:
Fraudulent W-9 Requests: Athletes have reported receiving emails from unknown sources requesting them to fill out and return W-9 forms, which include sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers. These requests often come from unofficial email addresses and can lead to identity theft and financial fraud.
Upfront Payment Scams: Some athletes have been asked to pay fees upfront for supposed NIL opportunities, only to discover that the deals were fraudulent. These scams can result in financial loss and compromised personal information.
📸 Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
While social media platforms offer athletes opportunities to build their brand, they also pose significant privacy risks:
Location Sharing Dangers: Photos posted online can inadvertently reveal personal and location information through metadata and even in the photo itself, making it easier for stalkers to track athletes’ movements. Recently, a WNBA video showed a few players leaving a building, with the address in full view. It’s crucial to disable location services and scrub metadata before sharing images, and to make sure you’re not capturing private or location info in your own photos and videos.
Avoid Sharing Schedules: Publicly posting training or travel schedules can expose athletes to unwanted attention or harassment. Keeping such information private is essential for safety.
🛡️ Proactive Measures for Athletes
To safeguard against cyber threats:
Strengthen Passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for each account.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
Limit Personal Information Sharing: Be cautious about the details you share online, especially real-time locations and routines.
Vet NIL Partners: Ensure that platforms and brand partners have robust cybersecurity practices, and don’t take on financial responsibility for their cyber mistakes in your contracts with them. We discuss that in our NIL Red Flags: 32 Red Flags Every Athlete and Parent Needs to Avoid https://selbystrategies.com/post/nil-edge-update-5232025
Check out and use the Identity Theft Protection Checklist in Identity Theft: Why Athletes & High-Level Professionals are Prime Targets https://selbystrategies.com/post/nil-edge-update-5302025
Consider Cyber Insurance: Protect your and your family’s safety, digital assets, and income streams.
Schedule a KNKR Workshop, where we show teams and athletes how to conquer their digital risks.
In the evolving NIL landscape, staying informed and vigilant is crucial. Protecting your digital presence is as important as your performance on the field.
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