Managing player misconduct in the age of social media and public scrutiny |
Online bullying of athletes is a growing problem that receives a lot of attention. But athletes themselves, not to mention team leadership, broadcasters, officials, and cheerleaders, have also been known to post offensive content on social media, putting their reputations and commercial prospects — and those of their employers — at risk. No one is immune, from high school athletes to the biggest pro stars, and while some infractions can blow over quickly, others can lead to severe consequences.
European football has been dealing with a number of serious issues in this area. In 2024, for example, English ex-footballer and manager Joey Barton, in a post on X, compared female commentators working on men’s football games to serial killers and a broadcaster who pushed back on that post, Jeremy Vine, as a pedophile. Vine took Barton to the Liverpool Crown Court on 12 counts of sending “a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.” In December 2025, the court found Barton guilty of six counts and not guilty of another six, handing down a sentence of six months in custody (suspended for 18 months) and 200 hours of community service. He also had to pay prosecution fees and received two-year restraining orders against each victim.
Some sports entities and clubs have been proactive about putting plans in place to prevent situations such as these. Given the frequency and potential seriousness of such events, all sports organizations should have a three-part plan to guide athletes and others in their........