MINNEAPOLIS — Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart on Tuesday mentioned her spouse won a threatening, anti-gay electronic mail following the New York Liberty‘s loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Recreation 1 of the WNBA Finals.
“Myself and my family, we’re definitely doing OK,” Stewart informed newshounds Tuesday. “We’re taking the proper precautions.”
Stewart reported the incident to the Self determination and to the league, moment her spouse, Marta Xargay Casademont, reported the incident to police.
“I think that for Marta, especially, I think it was, it is, terrifying,” Stewart mentioned.
In Game 1 on Thursday, Stewart ignored a isolated throw that may have given Unused York the manage with 0.8 seconds extra in law, and she or he nearest misfired on a layup that may have join it on the finish of time beyond regulation.
The order is now join 1-1 then Stewart and the Self determination bounced back in Game 2 in Brooklyn.
“With the spotlight of being in the Finals and everything like that, they said it makes the most sense to [file something formal],” Stewart mentioned.
Stewart added “there was some other things happening at the same time” and that “threats continued to build after Game 1.”
“[The threat was] something that she couldn’t not see,” Stewart mentioned of Xargay Casademont. “So the level of closeness was a little bit different. And I think that we just want to make sure, obviously, myself and Marta are OK, but our kids are the ones that are the safest.”
Stewart, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time nationwide champion at UConn, and Xargay Casademont have two youngsters: Ruby, 3, and Theo, who turns 1 on the finish of the occasion.
“There’s another level of invasion happening there,” Stewart mentioned. “[We want to make] sure that this isn’t happening only just for a scare tactic. And if it is, it still is highly inappropriate and unacceptable.”
The incident comes as many WNBA avid gamers have mentioned they’ve skilled an uptick of racist, misogynistic, anti-gay and in a different way vitriolic habits directed towards them in a season the place the league has exploded in reputation and enlargement.
DiJonai Carrington and Angel Reese are amongst avid gamers who’ve mentioned they’ve been at the receiving finish of threatening messages.
“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,” Stewart mentioned. “So we’re just continuing to let the league know. They’re handling it, but also, I think for me, just continue to use this platform to make sure that everyone knows that it’s unacceptable to bring to our sport and really into the world.”
A WNBA spokesperson informed The Related Press: “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. 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.”
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Thursday mentioned “the hateful speech and threats directed at our players are troubling.” She mentioned the league will paintings with the avid gamers’ affiliation and groups on taking a “multidimensional” means — “utilizing technology, prioritizing mental health, reinforcing physical security and increasing monitoring.”
“We know there’s more work to be done, and as a league, we are fully committed to listening to the players and other stakeholders on this and other important issues,” Engelbert mentioned.
Stewart on Tuesday mentioned everybody has been “step-in-step” in serving to aid her and her community since Thursday, moment prompting Engelbert and the league to “continue to make sure that they’re ahead of this … and be ready for action, so even me and Marta aren’t [wondering what to do].”
“There needs to be a little bit of like a protocol or a thing before the season, because this year especially is one it’s really starting to happen,” Stewart added.
