The harassment of female athletes has reached alarming levels, with the recent cases involving WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese bringing the issue into sharper focus.
Both players have become victims of disturbing behavior that highlights a broader problem within sports and society.
Clark has endured a terrifying ordeal involving a stalker from Texas named Michael Lewis. The man allegedly bombarded her with explicit messages and threats via social media, boasting about “driving around your house 3x a day” and planning to “sit behind the bench” at her games.
“@CaitlinClark22 been driving around your house 3x a day..but don’t call the law just yet, the publc is allowed to drive by gainbridge..aka Caitlin’s Fieldhouse,” Lewis said in a message to Clark on X.
Authorities linked the messages to IP addresses at a hotel and library in Indianapolis, leading to his arrest and subsequent charge with Level 5 felony stalking. This charge could result in a prison sentence of one to six years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Clark admitted the ordeal made her “very fearful,” forcing her to change her public appearances to ensure her safety. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears praised her bravery in coming forward, emphasizing that reporting such incidents requires immense courage.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Mears stated.
Reese and AI-Generated harassment
Clark‘s experience mirrors that of Reese, another prominent WNBA star who revealed last year that she had been targeted by disturbing AI-generated nude images sent to her family members.
Reese, who has been vocal about her experiences, condemned the behavior of certain fans while praising her on-court rival Caitlin Clark.
“These experiences go beyond the rivalry. This is about the safety and dignity of athletes,” Reese shared during a podcast. Her ordeal highlights how advancing technology, like AI, is being weaponized to harm individuals, particularly women in the public eye.
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