Breanna Stewart Speaks Out After Wife Receives 'Terrifying' Homophobic Death Threat Following WNBA Finals Game

Mar. 15, 2025

Marta Xargay and Breanna Stewart.Photo:Julien M. Hekimian/Getty

Marta Xargay and Breanna Stewart attend “A Celebration of Olympic Basketball” presented by NBC Universal and NBA at Team USA House, Palais Brongniart on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France.

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty

WNBA starBreanna Stewartsays her wifeMarta Xargay Casademontreceived a death threat after Stewart’s team, the New York Liberty, lost Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

During an interview withNBA Todayon Tuesday, Oct. 15, Stewart addressed the “homophobic death threats” Casademont, 33, has received, including one via email following the Liberty’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, Oct. 10.

“It came after the Game 1 loss, and sometimes people are taking things too far and too out of context, and Marta had gotten homophobic death threats. A few other things have happened, but just making sure that we’re doing as much as possible to make sure that our team and the league is aware of the situation and continue to keep everybody safe,” Stewart, 30, said.

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty and Marta Xargay poses for a portrait during the Orange Carpet event at WNBA Live on July 18, 2024 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.Sage East/NBAE via Getty

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty and Marta Xargay poses for a portrait during the Orange Carpet event at WNBA Live on July 18, 2024 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sage East/NBAE via Getty

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Stewart added that, despite the WNBA being “the most inclusive league in all of professional sports,” players have faced increased racism, homophobia and violent language throughout the season.

“There’s no place for hate, homophobic, racism. We want to make sure that not only am I using this platform, we’re keeping it consistent and really putting the pressure on the league to keep us safe, but knowing this is happening not only in this league but really around the world is unacceptable,” she said.

“Myself and my family, we’re definitely doing OK. We’re taking the proper precautions. I think that for Marta, especially, I think it was, it is, terrifying,” Stewart said, per ESPN.

Stewart confirmed that she reported the incident to the Liberty and to the WNBA – and that Casademont reported it to the police.

source: people.com