Rising Stalker Incidents Among Athletes Highlight Urgent Safety Concerns
Stalking incidents involving athletes have become a more alarming issue over the past few years. A comprehensive study from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2019 found that less than a third of stalking victims actually reported their situations to police.
No law enforcement agency in the U.S. publicly tracks cases specifically involving athletes. However, The Athletic has pulled together a tally of alleged stalking incidents involving athletes over the last five years using news reports, social media, and court filings.
They found at least 52 reported or alleged stalking incidents targeting athletes or coaches since 2020. Both male and female athletes have been affected.
This blog post looks at some of the more prominent cases and shines a light on the serious implications of stalking in the sports world.
High-Profile Stalking Cases in Recent Years
Table of Contents
Several high-profile athletes have come forward to share their experiences with stalkers. These stories show just how vulnerable public figures can be.
It’s tough to ignore the need for stronger protective measures.
British Tennis Player and Alex de Minaur
In December 2024, a British tennis player told The Guardian that she and her partner, fellow tennis player Alex de Minaur, were followed by someone in a car. She also described a disturbing moment at a tournament in Nottingham when she got a threatening social media message: I’m outside. I’m going to hurt you if you come outside.
Former UConn Basketball Star
In December 2024, Robert Cole Parmalee, a 40-year-old man from Oregon, pleaded guilty to stalking a former UConn basketball star. Parmalee got a one-year suspended sentence and three years of probation, and he’s now barred from Connecticut.
He also has to follow a protective order until January 4, 2064.
Angel City FC Player
A San Diego native transferred from Club America in Mexico to Angel City FC in Los Angeles in March 2023 because she feared for her safety. An individual named Jose Andres N harassed her, threatened her, and even hacked her social media accounts.
He was sentenced to just 36 hours of house arrest. Club America said Mexican authorities didn’t do enough to protect her safety and emotional stability.
Stalking Incidents Involving Male Athletes
While female athletes seem to be targeted more often, male athletes aren’t immune to stalking. Several men in sports have faced severe harassment and threats, too.
Indiana Fever Guard
In January, Indianapolis police arrested Michael Lewis, 55, for sending more than 800 threatening and sexually explicit messages over a month to a 23-year-old Indiana Fever guard. Lewis claimed he had an imaginary relationship with the WNBA star.
He pleaded guilty to stalking and harassing the athlete and got 2 1/2 years in prison in July.
Retired NFL Player
In May, a Los Angeles court granted a retired NFL player and his family a five-year restraining order against Janelle Anwar. The player said Anwar had harassed and stalked them since 2020, sent packages to his home, and even made threats against his son’s life.
Anwar filed for divorce, sought spousal support, and demanded a $6.5 million settlement—despite never having met the player.
International Stalking Incidents
Stalking isn’t just a U.S. problem. Athletes around the world have dealt with threats and harassment, showing just how global this issue is.
Swedish Cross-Country Skier
A man in his 60s allegedly called a Swedish cross-country skier 207 times, left piles of voicemails and texts, and even tried to find her at different places, including her home. Police found over 7,000 photos—mostly of the skier—on his phone.
He got a suspended prison sentence and had to pay about $4,000 in damages after being convicted of stalking her for over a year.
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Premier League Players
In May 2023, social media influencer Orla Melissa Sloan, who called herself the devil baby, pleaded guilty in London to stalking and harassing several Premier League players. She received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, plus 200 hours of community service and 30 days of rehabilitation.
Sloan also got a five-year restraining order barring her from contacting the players.
Preventative Measures and Legal Actions
Several athletes have managed to get restraining orders and beef up security to protect themselves. Still, the process isn’t always straightforward or easy.
Temporary Restraining Orders
In 2024, a UCLA basketball player got a temporary restraining order against Latyr Thiaw, who allegedly stalked her since 2023. Thiaw posted about her on social media and showed up on UCLA’s campus multiple times.
Increased Security Measures
In March, Świątek’s team arranged extra security at the Miami Open after a man who’d shown verbal aggression online came to a practice session and harassed her in person. He shouted about her family and personal life, so her team decided to take more precautions.
Conclusion
Stalking incidents involving athletes are a real problem. They grab headlines, but honestly, they also shake up lives behind the scenes.
We’ve seen tennis players and basketball stars deal with it. And it happens all over the world, not just in the U.S.
There’s a clear need for better protection and stronger legal action. Sometimes, it feels like the system can’t keep up.
If you want to dig into more cases or see a full list, check out The Athletic’s article. It’s worth a look.