New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and her wife, Marta Xargay, received threatening homophobic emails after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
The emails were sent directly to Xargay’s account, which made the couple feel uneasy, Stewart mentioned during practice on Tuesday.
“The fact it came to Marta’s email is something she (had to) see. The level of closeness was a little bit different,” she said. “Make sure that myself and Marta are okay, but that our kids are the safest.”
Stewart had a chance to win Game 1 but missed one of two free throws with 0.8 seconds left and then missed a potential tying layup at the overtime buzzer.
Minnesota won the game, and now the series is tied 1-1 as they head into Game 3 on Wednesday night in Minnesota.
The two-time MVP reported the emails to the team, which escalated the issue to league security.
“We’re taking the proper precautions. I think the threats continue to build after Game 1,” Stewart said. “We love that people are engaged in our sport, but not to the point where there’s threats or harassment or homophobic comments being made.”
The New York Post was the first to report on the threats.
Stewart said Xargay filed a complaint with the police at the team’s and security’s suggestion.
“Being in the Finals and everything like that it makes sense to file something formal,” Stewart said.
The New York Police Department confirmed that it received a report of aggravated harassment involving emails sent to “a 33-year-old victim.” The department’s hate crimes taskforce is currently investigating, according to a spokesperson from the department’s media relations team.
Stewart mentioned that she usually doesn’t check most of the messages she receives since they typically go to her agency. However, when her wife brought the threatening emails to her attention, she wanted to inform fans that such behavior is unacceptable.
“For me to use this platform to let people know it’s unacceptable to bring to our sport,” she said. This season, there have been many more online threats to players via social media and email.
“We continue to emphasize that there is absolutely no room for hateful or threatening comments made about players, teams, or anyone affiliated with the WNBA,” a WNBA spokesperson said.
“We’re aware of the most recent matter and are working with league and team security as well as law enforcement on appropriate security measures.”
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about the increase in attacks that players have faced on social media during her state-of-the-league address before Game 1.
She stated that there’s no place for such behavior and that the league will collaborate with the players’ union to find ways to address it. Engelbert mentioned the importance of technology and support for mental health.
“It just is something where we have to continue to be a voice for this, a voice against it, condemning it, and making sure that we find every opportunity to support our players, who have been dealing with this for much longer than this year,” Engelbert said.
