WNBA Uses Three-Step Security Process to Handle Threats Against Players

The WNBA uses a three-step process to assess and respond to threats against players, according to a report published Tuesday by The Guardian. A league source told the outlet that every reported incident is investigated, with player safety monitored not only at games but also at hotels, airports and online.

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The process begins with the league's Global Security Operations Center, which operates around the clock. The center assesses whether a reported threat is valid and starts an investigation. The league then determines whether additional security is needed to reduce the risk. A final stage can include restricting or banning the person involved from arenas and games, or referring the matter to local authorities.

The Guardian's report examined the issue after several players experienced stalking. Michael Lewis, a 55-year-old man from Texas, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison last July after sending Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark hundreds of messages between December 12, 2024, and January 11, 2025. The messages included threats and sexually explicit content, the report said. He was arrested at an Indianapolis hotel. Clark said the case made her fear for her safety and change her appearance in public.

Clark is not the only player cited in the reporting. In June, a 48-year-old man was arrested for stalking her Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham. The Guardian also noted that a 40-year-old man pleaded guilty in 2024 to stalking Paige Bueckers while she was at UConn. Former Fever guard Syd Colson has discussed her own experience, while Toronto Tempo player Kiki Rice received dozens of messages from a man when she was a UCLA student.

The league's protections now have a contractual baseline. According to The Guardian, the new collective bargaining agreement includes minimum safety requirements that every team must maintain. The report did not detail those requirements, but the league source said its security work extends across physical locations and digital spaces.

The issue has become more visible as the WNBA's audience and player profiles have grown. The league's stated response combines continuous threat assessment, added protection where necessary and possible action against individuals. The Guardian reported that the WNBA is aware of the risks surrounding player-fan relationships and is working to act quickly when interactions become threatening.