WNBA Finals: Breanna Stewart, Marta Xargay receive homophobic threats after Game 1

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and her spouse Marta Xargay obtained threatening homophobic nameless emails after Sport 1 of the WNBA Finals.

The emails went on to Xargay’s account, which was a bit unnerving for the couple, Stewart stated at follow on Tuesday.

“The actual fact it got here to Marta’s electronic mail is one thing she (needed to) see. The extent of closeness was a bit of bit totally different,” she stated. “Guarantee that myself and Marta are okay, however that our children are the most secure.”

Stewart had an opportunity to win Sport 1 of the WNBA Finals, however missed considered one of two free throws with 0.8 seconds left in regulation after which a possible tying layup on the additional time buzzer. Minnesota ended up profitable the sport and now the sequence is tied 1-1 heading into Sport 3 on Wednesday night time in Minnesota.

The 2-time MVP stated she notified the staff concerning the emails and so they escalated it to league safety.

“We’re taking the right precautions. I feel the threats proceed to construct after Sport 1,” Stewart stated. “We love that individuals are engaged in our sport, however to not the purpose the place there’s threats or harassment or homophobic feedback being made.”

The New York Publish first reported the threats.

Stewart stated Xargay filed a criticism with police on the recommendation of the staff and safety.

“Being within the Finals and every little thing like that it is sensible to file one thing formal,” Stewart stated.

The New York Police Division confirmed that it obtained a report of aggravated harassment involving emails despatched to “a 33-year-old sufferer.” The division’s hate crimes taskforce is investigating, a spokesperson with the division’s media relations staff stated.

Stewart stated she doesn’t normally take a look at a lot of the messages she receives and that they normally go to her company, however as soon as she was made conscious of them by her spouse she needed to let followers know there’s no place for it.

“For me to make use of this platform to let folks know its unacceptable to convey to our sport,” she stated.

This season there was much more on-line threats to gamers by way of social media and electronic mail.

“We proceed to emphasise that there’s completely no room for hateful or threatening feedback made about gamers, groups or anybody affiliated with the WNBA,” a WNBA spokesperson stated. “We’re conscious of the newest matter and are working with league and staff safety in addition to regulation enforcement on acceptable safety measures.”

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the rising quantity of assaults that gamers have handled on social media at her state-of-the league deal with earlier than Sport 1.

She stated there’s no place for it and the league will work with the gamers’ union to determine what they will do collectively to fight it. Engelbert talked about expertise and assist for psychological well being.

“It simply is one thing the place we now have to proceed to be a voice for this, a voice towards it, condemning it, and ensuring that we discover each alternative to help our gamers, who’ve been coping with this for for much longer than this 12 months,” Engelbert stated.

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AP employees reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed from New York.

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