Throughout the recent WNBA season, star player Caitlin Clark has grappled not only with injuries that sidelined her for over 30 games but also with the distressing reality of being stalked by a 55-year-old man convinced they were in a relationship. Michael Lewis, a Texas resident, sent Clark hundreds of messages, many containing threats and sexually explicit content, between December 2024 and January 2025. His arrest took place at a hotel in Indianapolis, the city where Clark plays for the Indiana Fever. In July 2025, Lewis was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Clark has spoken about the impact the situation had on her, including fear for her safety and changes she made to her public appearance.
Stalking is not limited to Clark alone within the WNBA. Earlier in 2024, a man pleaded guilty to stalking Paige Bueckers, formerly of the UConn Huskies. Former Indiana Fever guard Syd Colson has also publicly addressed similar experiences. Toronto Tempo’s Kiki Rice revealed that during her college tenure at UCLA, she received dozens of unsolicited messages from a man who misinterpreted their relationship. In a related incident, Sophie Cunningham, a teammate of Clark’s, had a 48-year-old man arrested for stalking her in June 2025.
The issue transcends women’s basketball, with comparable cases in other professional sports. NFL player Aaron Donald faced stalking by a woman falsely claiming they were married. Experts note that the increasing visibility of women in professional sports, combined with the higher incidence of stalking against women compared to men, contributes to the growing recognition of this problem within the WNBA.
WNBA players have generally positive interactions with fans, with some, like Portland Fire’s Emily Engstler, describing fan respect as notable and appreciated. Engstler emphasized the importance of mutual respect in the fan-athlete dynamic.
Psychologist Dr. Shira Gabriel of the State University of New York at Buffalo explained that parasocial relationships—one-sided connections fans develop with public figures—are common and not inherently harmful. These relationships can provide individuals with a sense of social connection. Gabriel noted that problems arise when fans forget that athletes are real people, sometimes leading to dehumanizing behavior that escalates into harassment or stalking. Risk factors for these behaviors often include underlying emotional or mental health issues.
The WNBA acknowledges these challenges and prioritizes player safety. According to a league source, the league maintains comprehensive security measures not only at games but also in hotels, airports, and online. The most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement includes mandatory safety protocols for teams. When threats are reported, the league’s Global Security Operations Center conducts around-the-clock assessments to evaluate and investigate the situation. Based on the findings, the league may implement additional security measures or restrict individuals from attending games, and it refers cases to local law enforcement where appropriate.
The WNBA continues to work toward ensuring a secure environment for players, recognizing that while parasocial relationships between fans and athletes can be healthy, rapid and decisive action is necessary when such relationships become dangerous.