Arike Ogunbowale, a prominent figure in the WNBA, found herself in legal trouble early Thursday morning following a celebration at a well-known Miami nightclub.
At approximately 4:20 a.m. on March 5, Ogunbowale, 29, was taken into custody on a battery charge, as indicated by booking records. She secured her release shortly thereafter by posting a $1,000 bond.
The incident reportedly unfolded at E11VEN nightclub, where Ogunbowale and her Mist teammates were reveling in their recent Unrivaled championship victory on March 4. According to a complaint acquired by TMZ, the athlete allegedly struck a man in the face during the festivities.
As tensions escalated within the club, Ogunbowale and others were being escorted toward a rear exit when an officer intervened to assist. In a surprising turn, Ogunbowale allegedly punched the officer, resulting in him falling to the ground.
Prior to her arrest, videos circulated showing Ogunbowale enjoying the night alongside teammates Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James.
Initial reports of the incident came from journalist Andy Slater, who highlighted the unfolding situation.
In response to the incident, an Unrivaled spokesperson stated, “The league is aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and we are in the process of gathering additional information. We’re in contact with Arike and her representatives.”
The Dallas Wings, Ogunbowale’s WNBA team, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Wings are aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and are in the process of gathering more information. Further comments will be provided once we have more details.”
E11VEN nightclub has gained notoriety for hosting celebrations of championship sports teams following significant victories.
Just last week, the Team USA men’s hockey team celebrated their gold-medal win at this very venue.
While E11VEN declined to comment specifically on Ogunbowale’s situation, they did express pride in being a favored location for major celebrations. A spokesperson remarked, “We are proud that E11EVEN Miami continues to be the location of choice for so many people to celebrate major moments and milestones.”
They further added, “We were thrilled to have served as the venue for the official championship after party for the Unrivaled champions and are honored that athletes and teams across multiple sports consistently choose E11EVEN to celebrate their victories. We remain committed to providing a world-class environment that reflects the energy, excitement and prestige of those moments.”
