Florida AG Threatens WNBA Players With Assault Charges Over $1,000 Foul Case
Updated
Updated · KATU · Aug 10
Florida AG Threatens WNBA Players With Assault Charges Over $1,000 Foul Case
3 articles · Updated · KATU · Aug 10
Summary
James Uthmeier said Florida would treat on-court incidents like DiJonai Carrington's weekend foul on Sophie Cunningham as criminal conduct, saying he would charge players with assault — and later "assault and battery."
Saturday's flashpoint came when Carrington was ejected with a Flagrant 2 after appearing to clothesline Cunningham; the WNBA also fined her $1,000.
Carrington then fueled the backlash with a Threads post reading "white privilege" and tagging the Indiana Fever, prompting critics to demand further action beyond the league penalty.
Uthmeier widened his attack Sunday by criticizing the WNBA's review of player eligibility rules, linking that debate to player safety in comments about "men assaulting women" on league courts.
Florida has not had a WNBA team for more than 20 years — the Orlando Miracle and Miami Sol both folded or relocated by 2002 — making Uthmeier's threat hypothetical for now.