WNBA Star Breanna Stewart Reveals Her Wife Received Threatening, Homophobic Email

The wife of New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart was the target of a threatening and homophobic email, according to the New York Post's Joe Marino and Steve Janoski.

The message read in part, "I hope someone shoots your wife dead, f--k you d--es [sic], I hope you both die."

Marino and Janoski reported Stewart's wife, Marta Xargay Casademont, reached out to New York police about the email.

Stewart addressed the situation Tuesday on NBA Today, calling it "unacceptable":

The two-time WNBA MVP said her wife got the email after the Liberty lost Game 1 of the WNBA Finals to the Minnesota Lynx.

Per Marino and Janoski, a preliminary investigation by NBA security officials showed the source of the message "has been associated with other hateful missives, including death threats, bomb threats and more racist rhetoric."

WNBA viewership and attendance have surged in 2024, which helped the league secure a massive media rights deal. All of the added attention on women's basketball has had an unfortunate consequence, though.

Players around the league have said they're receiving more abuse, particularly on social media, than they ever have before.

On her A Touch More podcast with co-host and partner Megan Rapinoe, Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird reflected how the arrival of Caitlin Clark didn't create this problem. However, the spike in popularity she helped to drive did amplify a longstanding issue.

"Racism has been impacting the WNBA well before this year. This is not a new thing," Bird said. "In that way, I do think Caitlin's being used as a pawn. Caitlin didn't bring racism to the WNBA. This has been happening. And that I think is what's been such a shock for all of us, that other people are surprised. We've been trying to tell you."

The WNBA said in a Sept. 25 statement it "will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league." The league added it "is actively monitoring threat-related activity" and will contact the relevant authorities when required.

That came after Terri Jackson, executive director for the Women's National Basketball Players Association, criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for her comments in a Sept. 9 appearance on CNBC's Power Lunch.

Pressed directly about the "darker" and "more menacing" tone discourse around the league has taken, Engelbert effectively said it's good that fans aren't apathetic toward the league and that rivalries can drive more interest.