NCAA Denies Partnership with Online Gambling Platform

The NCAA has denied any partnership with PlayTime Entertainment, an online gambling platform, despite the brand’s visible promotion during the league’s Season 102 opening-day broadcast. An investigation is underway regarding the unauthorized promotion.

What Happened

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) issued a clarification denying a partnership with the online gambling platform PlayTime Entertainment, as reported by Rappler. This denial followed public criticism after PlayTime Entertainment’s branding was prominently featured during the NCAA’s Season 102 opening-day broadcast on Sunday, September 13. The platform was presented as the league’s “official entertainment partner” and “season presenter,” leading to confusion and scrutiny, particularly concerning the influence of gambling on a student audience.

During the broadcast, PlayTime Entertainment’s logo was displayed multiple times, and spokesperson Adela Mae Marshall delivered a speech twice, once live and again as a replay, discussing the platform’s entry into the sports league. However, subsequent games did not feature PlayTime Entertainment promotions, and the company has since removed most of its social media posts related to the NCAA, according to Rappler.

Key Details

• The NCAA management committee stated, “no agreement has been executed and no signing of any kind has taken place between the NCAA and PlayTime Entertainment,” as reported by Rappler.
• An NCAA source indicated that league officials were surprised by PlayTime Entertainment’s promotion, as the management committee had previously rejected the sponsorship proposal, preferring a unanimous vote on such matters, according to Rappler.
• A league-commissioned agency reportedly negotiated directly with PlayTime Entertainment and Cignal TV, the broadcaster, without the NCAA’s knowledge of the rejected proposal, Rappler reported.

Why It Matters

This incident raises concerns regarding brand control and unauthorized commercial endorsements within collegiate sports leagues, especially given the target demographic of student-athletes and young viewers. The promotion of an online gambling platform in a league catering to students, many of whom are below the legal gambling age of 21 in the Philippines, drew significant criticism, as noted by Rappler. The situation underscores the complexities of managing third-party commercial agreements and the potential reputational risks when sponsorships are not fully vetted or authorized by the governing body.

What’s Next

The NCAA has initiated an investigation into how PlayTime Entertainment was promoted during the broadcast. The league has reportedly contacted both the agency involved and PlayTime Entertainment. According to an NCAA source cited by Rappler, the agency responsible could face termination.

Originally reported by Rappler·Published 19 Sep 2026, 01:30