"They have told me that they hope my plane crashes"

BarcelonaTight game. Growing emotion. The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks are fighting for victory in a very close match. Kayla McBride visits the free-throw line, at which point the entire arena hears the shouts of a fan. "Rickea!", he exclaims. He says it with so much energy that the television broadcast picks it up. Unconcerned with the game's outcome, the fan implores Rickea Jackson, forward for the Sparks, to score more points because he needs to win his parlay bet.

The scene is not an isolated incident. WNBA players are asking for more protection. The threats and insults that angry bettors hurl at athletes when a game doesn't go as they predicted have grown to create a climate that, at times, is unsustainable. Harassment can be in person or through social media.

"It's normal for us to be insulted after every game. They've even told me they hope my plane crashes on the way back home," said Natasha Cloud. Tired of receiving misogynistic and racist insults, she now reads death wishes; the Chicago Sky star is one of the players who has spoken out. "We want to be a part of this business, it's good for the League, but we also need to be protected as human beings when we take off our jerseys," she added.

It is not an isolated case. Chelsea Gray, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Dearica Hamby, and Courtney Williams have also reported similar cases. "People act like we're making this shit up," wrote Gray, who attached a racist message from a Hilton Grand Vacations hotel worker, who was fired.

Bonner even showed screenshots of messages that included phone numbers and personal data of her family members. Thomas, who usually receives racist insults, criticizes WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing more to protect the league's players. "It's a shame that it has come to this point for basketball. They are threatening our lives. It's really unacceptable. It's something that has to change in this league and I'm sick and tired of it," said Thomas.

Despite the players' frustration, the WNBA is pursuing deals with betting companies more aggressively than ever. Bettors' money doubled at major betting sites last season, coinciding with Caitlin Clark's debut, and has continued to increase this campaign. The North American competition has agreements with at least seven betting companies.

Latest controversy

Before Wednesday night's game between the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wings, the WNBA released a video on social media showing Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers making a friendly $400 bet. The post was quickly deleted, but not before X users took screenshots and recordings, allowing the scene to spread.

"Although the social media post was intended to be lighthearted, WNBA players are well aware of the League's policies prohibiting wagering on WNBA games and receive training each year that reinforces these policies," the WNBA said in a statement. "We recognized the post was ill-advised, we removed it shortly after it was posted and addressed the matter internally. We will also use this as an opportunity to re-emphasize with the players involved that discussions about wagering on WNBA games, even when intended to be lighthearted, can have negative consequences," it continued.