Brianna Stewart, wife of Marta Zargay Casademont, received threatening and homophobic emails after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Stewart says

Minneapolis – New York Liberty star Brianna Stewart said she and his wife, Marta Zargay Casademont, received threatening and homophobic emails after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

The emails went directly to Xargay Casademont’s account, which was a bit concerning for the couple, Stewart said at training on Tuesday.

“The fact that Marta’s email got to her email is something she had to see. The level of closeness was a little different,” she said. “Make sure Marta and I are okay, but our kids are the safest.”

“I think for Marta, in particular, I think it was terrifying,” ESPN quoted Stewart as saying.

According to ESPN, Stewart and Zargay Casademont have two children: three-year-old Ruby and 11-month-old Theo.

Stewart had a chance to win Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but missed one of two free throws with 0.8 seconds left and then a potential layup at the overtime buzzer. Minnesota ended up winning the game and now the series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Wednesday night in Minnesota.

The two-time MVP said she reported the emails to the team and they escalated them to league security.

“We’re taking appropriate precautions,” Stewart said. “I think the threats will continue to escalate after the first game.” “We like people to get involved in our sport, but not to the point where threats, harassment or homophobic comments are made.”

The New York Post was the first to report the threats.

Stewart said Xargay Casademont filed a complaint with police on the advice of the team and security.

“Being in the finals and everything like that, it makes sense to make something official,” Stewart said.

The New York Police Department confirmed that it had received a report of serious harassment that included emails sent to a “33-year-old victim.” A spokesman for the department’s media relations team said the department’s hate crimes task force is investigating the matter.

Stewart said she doesn’t usually look at most of the messages she receives and that they usually go to her agency, but once her wife found out about it, she wanted to let fans know there’s no place for that.

“For me, it’s using this platform to let people know that it’s not acceptable to bring it into our sport,” she said.

There have been numerous online threats to players through social media and email this season.

“We continue to stress that there is absolutely no room for hateful or threatening comments to be made about players, teams or anyone affiliated with the WNBA,” a WNBA spokesperson said. “We are aware of the latest matter and are working with league and team security as well as law enforcement on appropriate security measures.”

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the increasing number of attacks players have been dealing with on social media in her State of the League address before the first game.

She said there is no place for that and the league will work with the players union to see what they can do together to combat it.

Engelbert mentioned technology and mental health support.

“It’s something that we have to continue to be a voice for this, a voice against it, condemn it, and make sure that we find every opportunity to support our players, who have been dealing with this for a lot longer than this year.” “Engelbert said.

ESPN reported that Stewart said, “There has to be a protocol or something before the season, because this year, in particular, it’s really starting to happen.”