Story perspectives

FBI, NCAA Launch Program to Combat Athlete Sextortion

8/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

The FBI and NCAA launched a program offering education, counseling and liaison support to fight online sexual exploitation of college athletes.
FBI officials Taushiana Bright and Shohini Sinha said NIL deals increase athletes’ targeting risk.
In 2025 the FBI logged 75,000 sextortion reports, received over 3,000 cyber-sex tips and recorded $44 million in losses.
Former Michigan staffer Matt Weiss faces charges for stealing more than 3,000 athlete images.

History

Historical Context

In November 2014 the FBI joined Europol’s Operation Onymous, a raid that shut down dozens of dark-web sites, seized about $1 million in Bitcoin and produced 17 arrests. That precedent for targeting online exploitation now informs the FBI’s partnership with the NCAA, where agents Taushiana Bright and Shohini Sinha warn athletes that NIL contracts can invite sextortion.

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Story summary

The FBI and NCAA launched a program offering education, counseling and liaison support to fight online sexual exploitation of college athletes.
FBI officials Taushiana Bright and Shohini Sinha said NIL deals increase athletes’ targeting risk.
In 2025 the FBI logged 75,000 sextortion reports, received over 3,000 cyber-sex tips and recorded $44 million in losses.
Former Michigan staffer Matt Weiss faces charges for stealing more than 3,000 athlete images.

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