Paige Bueckers Saved From Nightmare Of 2024 Stalking Incident After WNBA Commissioner Delivers On Major Promise

Remember when Angel Reese had to speak out about something as invasive as AI-generated images being sent to her family? It wasn’t just heartbreaking — it was downright infuriating. But she’s not alone. Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have also dealt with stalking cases. Sadly, it’s an issue that’s only gotten worse over the past few years. People have been asking for a long time now– What is the WNBA going to do about it? Finally, it looks like the league is stepping up to protect its athletes.

The unprecedented popularity of women’s basketball, with WNBA viewership soaring to 1.2 million per game in 2024—a 170% increase from prior years—has amplified toxic fandom, fueled by social media’s anonymity and cultural divides over race, gender, and sexuality.

Back in December 2024, a 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to stalking Dallas superstar Paige Bueckers. His social media was flooded with posts about Bueckers — including a fake wedding invitation and photos of himself wearing what looked like an engagement ring. It didn’t stop there. UConn’s communications department even received emails from him saying he wanted to marry her. The whole ordeal left Paige feeling “concerned” and “worried”– not just for herself, but for her family and her teammates too. But this wasn’t the only case related to stalking.

Caitlin Clark faced a similar situation earlier this year that reportedly left her “very fearful.” It didn’t stop with her. Brittney Griner was targeted with racial slurs. Alyssa Thomas had to endure relentless online harassment during her playoff run. Even Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay weren’t spared. They received homophobic emails from fans themselves. All these stories reveal the dark side of fandom. They also make it clear– these athletes need protection now more than ever. Thankfully, the WNBA is stepping up to make sure of that!

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about it during a press conference before the draft. She said the league is working on a new platform to fight hate and vitriol directed at players. Not just players but also coaches, corporate partners, and other key stakeholders as well! A much-needed step in the right direction!

“We want to ensure that the WNBA remains a space where everyone—players, fans and partners, corporate partners—feels safe, valued and empowered,” Engelbert stated. “We actually assembled a dedicated task force, collaborated closely with key stakeholders, including league and team representatives, and worked with external organizations and experts.”

This Player Safety Task Force, launched in April 2025, uses advanced tech to monitor social media for threats, enforces stricter fan conduct rules, boosts security at games, and offers mental health support for players—a game-changer for keeping stars like Bueckers safe.

This news definitely brought a smile to fans’ faces. They were happy to see their favorite athletes finally getting the protection they deserve. “So glad to see Paige Bueckers (and hopefully the rest of the WNBA) finally get security. This has been a long time coming,” one fan commented.

But honestly, this probably doesn’t happen without the big steps Unrivaled took earlier this year. Their efforts definitely served as a blueprint for the WNBA to follow!

Unrivaled showing the way for the WNBA to protect athletes like Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark

Earlier this year, when Unrivaled kicked off its inaugural season, stalking cases were at an all-time high. Caitlin Clark’s stalker had just been sentenced, and everyone was curious — what would Unrivaled do to protect its players? Founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart didn’t waste any time. They had some important updates to share.

Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart both talked about the safety measures in place for the players. Collier pointed out the risks of being too accessible to the public. She stressed that sharing real-time information about their locations can be dangerous. To address this, the team held a safety meeting. They discussed things like not posting about where they live or what they’re doing until after the fact.

Unrivaled’s mandatory safety briefings taught players to delay social media posts about their whereabouts, and security measures at Miami’s Wayfair Arena kept players safe during games and travel. The WNBA’s recent initiatives, including a task force to address harassment and stalking, have drawn on models like Unrivaled’s, which prioritize player safety through strict fan conduct and enhanced security protocols.

Stewart added her say in the interview, emphasizing the heavy security presence around the players. It’s clear that their safety is a top priority, both on and off the court!

This is exactly what the WNBA plans to do this year with their new “task force.” This group will focus on combating both online and offline hate against players. The goal is to prevent another situation like what Paige Bueckers or Caitlin Clark faced with any other superstar. It’s great to see different women’s leagues working so hard to protect their athletes. After all, ensuring their safety should always be the top priority!