A series of stalking incidents involving prominent WNBA players has drawn attention to the personal-security risks that can accompany rising fame in women’s professional basketball.
A high-profile case
Caitlin Clark, who spent most of the 2025 WNBA season sidelined by injuries and missed more than 30 games, also spent that period and the preceding offseason dealing with a frightening stalking episode. Authorities say 55-year-old Michael Lewis, who was arrested at a hotel in Indianapolis where Clark plays for the Indiana Fever, sent Clark “hundreds” of messages — many described as threats and sexually explicit — between 12 December 2024 and 11 January 2025. Lewis was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison last July. Clark has said the experience left her fearing for her safety and led her to change her appearance in public.
Sophie Cunningham, another player whose name has become associated with similar incidents, has also reported being stalked. Those episodes join a growing list of cases that illustrate how public-facing roles and large social-media followings can create vulnerability for athletes.
Broader concerns for players and the league
Players in the WNBA generally welcome interaction with fans, but the league’s surging popularity has amplified exposure and the potential for harassment or criminal behaviour. The incidents involving Clark and Cunningham have prompted renewed discussion about how teams, the league and law enforcement can help protect players in public and online without severing the connection between athletes and supporters.
As the WNBA continues to expand its audience, the balance between accessibility and safety remains a pressing issue. Many players and officials say they want to maintain fan engagement while taking precautions to reduce risks, and the recent cases have underscored the need for practical security measures and clear channels for reporting threats.