• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Law

Caitlin Clark Is Latest Women’s Basketball Star With Alleged Stalker 

Clark’s alleged stalker traveled from Texas to Indianapolis and was warned by authorities to stop before he was arrested.

Caitlin Clark
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Indianapolis authorities on Sunday charged a man with stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark, saying the man continued to threaten Clark even after police warned him to stop.

Prosecutors in the case say 55-year-old Texas resident Michael Lewis sent the Indiana Fever guard dozens of threatening and sexually explicit messages on X/Twitter. He faces one charge of stalking, which could come with a prison sentence of one to six years if convicted.

The investigation also found Lewis’s recent messages stemmed from IP addresses in Indianapolis and that he was staying in a hotel downtown. 

Marion County’s affidavit for probable cause shows multiple X messages from Lewis in which he tags Clark’s account.  

“Been driving around your house 3x a day..but don’t call the law just yet, the [public] is allowed to drive by gainbridge..aka Caitlin’s Fieldhouse,” one post read. 

“We are coming to u live from downtown indy and we have a special guest named Michael on vacation from Texas,” another read.

The nature of the messages prompted the FBI to contact X for an emergency disclosure in light of his posts, according to court documents. 

Officers visited Lewis on Jan. 8 and asked about his messages, to which he acknowledged it was “an imaginary relationship.” He said he was on vacation in Indianapolis and denied making threatening posts. Lewis continued to message Clark despite the police visit, the affidavit said. He was arrested Sunday. 

Stalking and online abuse have been major issues in women’s basketball.

In August, Robert Cole Parmalee, a 40-year-old Oregon man, was arrested and accused of stalking Connecticut star Paige Bueckers. He pleaded guilty in December to second-degree stalking and received a one-year suspended sentence and three years’ probation. 

Parmalee is also barred from the state of Connecticut during his probation, in addition to all arenas, hotels, and practice facilities where UConn’s women’s basketball team is present. The WNBA also barred him from all arenas and practice facilities. 

In September, Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington shared a threatening email she received on her Instagram account, which came after her team eliminated Clark and the Fever in the playoffs. The following month, New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart revealed she and her wife received a threatening anti-gay email after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. 

In Clark’s case, prosecutors filed an order banning Lewis from Hinkle Fieldhouse on Butler University’s campus and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the two arenas where the Fever regularly play. 

The affidavit said Clark told police she’s feared for her safety since learning of the messages and adjusted her public appearances and movements as a result. 

“No matter how prominent a figure you are, this case shows that online harassment can quickly escalate to actual threats of physical violence,” Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said in the release. “It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t. In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”

Lewis is set to appear in court Tuesday and is being held on $100,000 bail.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
June 18, 2025

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.