Five major American pro sports leagues — NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS — sent letters to 35 states and Washington, D.C., recommending lifetime bans for bettors who harass or send death threats to players, coaches, officials, team personnel or their families. The WNBA was not included.
During the Phoenix Mercury's end-of-season media availability on Sept. 25, veteran Alyssa Thomas was asked about the WNBA joining the fight.
"I think we all understand that it's a hard thing to control," Thomas said. "Sports are one of the most popular things. But yeah, at the end of the day, I just don't feel that people should come out there each and every day and send you death threats or things of that nature over betting.”
Thomas said the players are only doing
their jobs.
"I just think you gotta continue to grow and find better ways to limit those things," she said.
This is the second time Thomas has addressed online harassment.
On June 30, Thomas criticized the WNBA and its commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, saying "she remains silent" after Thomas received death threats from an incident involving her and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Engelbert released a subsequent statement that "the WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate" and prioritizes the safety of players.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury's Alyssa Thomas backs WNBA push for bans on bettors' threats
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