FanDuel bans bettor for heckling Gabby Thomas
Share this @internewscast.com

The bettor posted on social media that he “made Gabby lose by heckling her. And it made my parlay win.”

Over the weekend, a sports bettor who taunted Olympic gold medalist sprinter Gabby Thomas at a Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia has been banned from the betting platform FanDuel Sportsbook.

In a statement released to The Associated Press on Wednesday, FanDuel stated it “strongly condemns any form of abusive behavior towards athletes. Threatening or harassing athletes is intolerable and doesn’t belong in sports. This individual’s account has been permanently suspended from using FanDuel services.”

During the event, Thomas secured a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter race, which was won by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. The bettor claimed on social media that his heckling contributed to Thomas’s loss and mentioned that it helped his parlay triumph. He shared an image of his betting slip, which showed Jefferson-Wooden as the winner of the 100-meter event.

Thomas, the 200-meter champion at the Paris Games last summer, explained the heckling incident on X. She wrote: “This grown man followed me around the track as I took pictures and signed autographs for fans (mostly children) shouting personal insults — anybody who enables him online is gross.”

Grand Slam Track, a track league launched by Hall of Fame sprinter Michael Johnson this spring, wrote in a statement it was “conducting a full investigation into the reprehensible behavior captured on video.

“We are working to identify the individual involved and will take appropriate action as necessary. We will implement additional safeguards to help prevent incidents like this in the future. Let us be clear, despicable behavior like this will not be tolerated.”

ESPN first reported the bettor had been banned by FanDuel. The Grand Slam Track season wraps up with the fourth and final meet in Los Angeles on June 28-29.

The Thomas incident is the latest in a string of stalking and abuse of female athletes. Frida Karlsson, a Swedish cross-country skiing world champion, recently brought her experience with stalking into public view when she went through a trial.

A man in his 60s was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 40,000 kronor ($4,100) in damages after being convicted of stalking Karlsson for a year and four months, according to Swedish news agency TT. The man, according to the indictment, called Karlsson 207 times, left her voicemails and text messages and approached her, including outside her apartment.

In February, police in the United Arab Emirates detained a man who caused British tennis player Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting “ fixated behavior ” toward he at a tennis tournament. Raducanu had been approached by the man at the Dubai Championships where he left her a note, took her photograph and engaged in behavior that caused her distress, according to the government of Dubai’s media office.

AP Sports Writers Mark Anderson and Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Newlyweds found dead days before celebrating their first anniversary: police

Tragic End: Newlywed Couple’s Lives Cut Short in Apparent Murder-Suicide Just Days Before Anniversary

Editor’s Note: This article discusses sensitive topics, including suicide. If you or…
Judge rules Boston fraudster Brian Walshe competent to stand trial in wife's murder

Boston Fraudster Brian Walshe Deemed Competent to Stand Trial in Wife’s Murder Case, Judge Rules

A Massachusetts judge has ruled that Brian Walshe, a Boston-area fraud convict…
CurlMix, Chicago business featured on 'Shark Tank' in 2019, asks for help amid economic struggles, tariffs

Chicago’s CurlMix Calls for Community Support Amid Economic Hurdles and Tariff Challenges After ‘Shark Tank’ Fame

In Chicago, a business owner who gained recognition on the popular television…
‘Bear attack’ story unravels as Montana man found guilty of grisly campsite murder: officials

Montana Man Convicted of Grisly Campsite Murder After Initial Bear Attack Allegations: Officials Report

A man from Montana, associated with White supremacist groups, has been convicted…
Judge should wait before naming Rikers receiver

Critical Decision on Rikers Island Receiver: Why Patience is Key

This year, twelve individuals have tragically lost their lives in the city’s…
Epstein Files Discharge Petition Hits House Milestone

Epstein Files Discharge Petition Reaches Significant Milestone in the House

The movement to force disclosure of government-held Jeffrey Epstein records has reached…
Brooklyn woman poured hot cooking oil on boyfriend, severely burning him: NYPD

Shocking Assault in Brooklyn: Woman Uses Hot Oil in Brutal Attack on Boyfriend

Authorities are actively searching for a woman who assaulted a 38-year-old man…
Arrest made in shooting of ‘Last Chance U’ star, Coach John Beam

Suspect Apprehended in Shooting of ‘Last Chance U’ Icon Coach John Beam: Breaking Update

An individual has been apprehended in relation to the shooting of John…
FBI investigating attack in Boulder, Colorado as 'act of terror,' several victims with burn injuries, suspect in custody

Chicago Cold Case Breakthrough: David Barklow Arrested for 2004 Downtown Apartment Shooting After International Search

A man has been apprehended and charged in connection with a murder…
Bryan Kohberger fights $27K restitution for victims’ families while taking money behind bars

Bryan Kohberger’s Unexpected Jail Windfall: Court Orders Compensation to Victims’ Families

An Idaho court disclosed that Bryan Kohberger, a convicted murderer, amassed substantial…
Cause of death revealed for Cleto Escobedo, Jimmy Kimmel's longtime friend and bandleader

Unveiling the Heartbreaking Cause Behind Cleto Escobedo’s Passing: Remembering Jimmy Kimmel’s Cherished Bandleader

Since the inception of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2003, Cleto Escobedo III…
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, man allegedly helped by Milwaukee judge Hannah Dugan, is deported, Department of Homeland Security says

Milwaukee Judge Allegedly Aids Deportee: DHS Confirms Eduardo Flores-Ruiz’s Removal

An immigrant previously arrested after a Wisconsin judge allegedly assisted him in…