When players sign contracts with any New York team, it’s practically written in fine print: as part of the deal, you will be constantly scrutinized — by the city, the media, and the millions of fans who live in it.

Being a New York athlete is one of the most difficult tasks in professional sports. You hear the backlash behind closed curtains, get booed off your home court or field, and wake up to find your name dragged across the back pages of the newspapers.

Off-Court Battles

Most of the time, players are used to this behavior and don’t take it as a personal sign to ignite change in their game. However, New York Giants kicker Graham Gano recently became the latest target of extreme fan reaction after going 1-for-2 in Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Gano revealed that he received death threats and hate comments through social media — words that crossed a line and sparked league-wide awareness across all major sports.

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was among the first to speak out about the incident, offering his own perspective on dealing with hostility from fans and bettors alike.

“It’s definitely crossed a line a couple of times. Actually, I would say more than a couple of times. [They have] said some pretty messed up sh*t. The way I deal with stuff like that, I have my circle, I have my family — they keep me level-headed when it’s positive, when it’s negative. I have a very close circle that I turn to when I start to get doubts, or I start to get nervous or see stuff like that.”

It's Easy Being the Captain

Brunson is one of the few New York athletes who rarely faces direct criticism, given that he’s been widely regarded as the Knicks’ saving grace after years of instability at point guard. From ranking in the NBA’s top-10 in jersey sales to becoming the face of the franchise, Brunson has fully embraced the New York spotlight. Yet, even he admits that the constant noise can weigh heavily at times.

Much of this new wave of hate has surfaced directly through sports betting apps, specifically targeting players for not hitting an individual’s parlay. Fans now use missed stat lines as ammunition — frustrated if Brunson scores 20 points instead of the 25 they wagered on. With the NBA recently rocked by its own gambling-related scandal, players have started to speak out more about the toll that betting culture has taken on their mental health.

The dark side of sports betting and its impact on NBA players: Death threats, racism and Venmo requests The legalization of sports gambling has led to players being harassed online like never before.

What Needs to Change?

“I think people need an outlet,” Brunson continued. “No matter what your outlet is, when things like that are happening — whether it’s positive or negative — you need to be able to express how you feel. It’s tough. I really don’t wish that on anybody. I don’t really understand why people think it’s alright to press send when sht’s hateful. When I say some sht — the worst things you’re thinking of, it’s worse than that.”

As the NBA — and professional sports as a whole — begin to rethink their relationship with gambling sponsorships and advertising, fans will undoubtedly find new ways to vent their frustration. But whether it’s online or behind a screen, a new approach must be taken — and soon.