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New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay received threatening homophobic anonymous emails after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on October 10.
The emails went straight to Xargay’s account, which was a bit unnerving for the couple, Stewart said at practice on Tuesday.
“The fact that it ended up in Marta’s email is something she did [had to] to see. The level of closeness was a little different,” she said. “Make sure that me and Marta are okay, but that our children are safest.”
Stewart had a chance to win Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but missed one of two free throws with 0.8 seconds left in regulation and then a potential tying goal at the overtime buzzer. Minnesota ultimately won the game and now the series is tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Wednesday night in Minnesota.
The two-time MVP said she informed the team about the emails and they escalated them to league security.
“We’re taking the right precautions. I think the threats will continue to increase after Game 1,” Stewart said. “We love that people are involved in our sport, but not to the point where threats, intimidation or homophobic comments are made.”
The New York Post first reported the threats.
WATCH l Liberty ties the WNBA Finals series 1-1:
New York beats Minnesota 80-66 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals to even their best-of-five series at 1-1. Breanna Stewart recorded a game-high 21 points, a WNBA Finals record seven steals, eight rebounds, five assists and one blocked shot. Chatham, Ontario, native Bridget Carleton finished with 8 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Lynx.
Stewart said Xargay filed a police complaint on the advice of the team and security.
“When you’re in the finals and things like that, it makes sense to submit something formal,” Stewart said.
More online threats for players this season
Stewart said she normally doesn’t look at most of the messages she receives and they usually go to her desk, but once her wife notified them, she wanted fans to know there is no place for them.
“For me to use this platform to let people know that bringing something to our sport is unacceptable,” she said.
This season there have been many more online threats to players via social media and email.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke in her state-of-the-league address before Game 1 about the rising number of attacks players have faced on social media.
She said there is no place for it and that the league will work with the players’ union to figure out what they can do together to combat it. Engelbert mentioned technology and mental health support.
“It’s just something where we have to continue to be a voice for it, a voice against it, condemn it and make sure we take every opportunity to support our players, who have been dealing with this for much longer than this year.” , says Engelbert.
LOOK | Lynx overcomes 18-point deficit, rally to OT victory in Game 1:
After trailing by 18 points in the second quarter, Minnesota rallies to beat New York 95-93 in overtime to win Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Chatham, Ontario, native Bridget Carleton finished with five points, one assist and three rebounds.
