Why was Arike Ogunbowale arrested? WNBA star caught up in incident during Miami nightclub celebration

Arike Ogunobwale, a Milwaukee native and professional basketball player, was arrested on March 5 after she allegedly attacked a security officer at a Miami nightclub during her team's Unrivaled title celebration. Andy Slater, a Fox Sports broadcaster based in Miami, first reported the arrest, which TMZ has confirmed.

Ogunbowale was there at the club to celebrate her Mist team's Unrivaled championship, which they won on Wednesday in Medley, Florida after defeating the Phantom 80–74. On March 4, Ogunbowale and her Mist teammates won the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league title. The Divine Savior Holy Angels alumnus scored 19 points. In the semifinal, Ogunbowale also made a game-winning three-pointer.

Details emerge from police report after Arike Ogunbowale’s arrest at Miami nightclub

The WNBA and Unrivaled star had a battery charge. She punched a man in the face, according to the police, and was apprehended without incident. Officers in Miami were summoned to an unconnected dispute that occurred inside E11EVEN, a 24-hour club in the city that has gained notoriety for hosting championship teams, most recently the men's Olympic hockey team that won a gold medal.

At 4:22 a.m., the 29-year-old was taken into custody and accused of misdemeanor violence. When asked if Ogunbowale was still under arrest, an Unrivaled representative told Front Office Sports:

“She is not. She is home safely.”

The arresting officer was "flagged down by security personnel in reference to a physical altercation occurring inside the establishment," according to the police report. After heading to the rear of the club, the officer "observed a large crowd being escorted out by security staff."





Police said that the alleged victim claimed that "he was attempting to escort the defendant out of the establishment due to an unrelated altercation." According to the report, he claims Ogunbowale "punched him in the face with a closed fist, causing him to fall to the ground" at that point.

A spokesperson for Unrivaled said:

“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.”

When contacted for response, Excel Sports Management, Ogunbowale's representative, referred FOS to Unrivaled's statement. Following the altercation at Miami's E11EVEN nightclub, TMZ received the criminal complaint. TMZ said:

"The officer made contact with the alleged victim … who claimed he was attempting to escort 29-year-old Ogunbowale out of the club due to an unrelated altercation – when she punched him in the face with a closed fist, causing him to fall to the ground.”

Dallas Wings and WNBPA respond as Arike Ogunbowale’s free agency status draws attention after arrest

Ogunbowale, a four-time WNBA All-Star, has been a member of the Wings since the team selected her from Notre Dame with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. A statement from the Wings said.

“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.”

Additionally, the WNBA’s player union said in a statement:

“The WNBPA is aware of a situation involving Arike Ogunbowale and are gathering additional information.. We will continue to support Arike as her Union and remain in contact with her representatives.”

At the moment, Ogunbowale is a free agent with no restrictions. The Milwaukee native's most recent deal with Dallas ended after the Wings finished 10-34 in the 2025 WNBA season. Last season, she averaged 15.5 points per game while shooting 36.4% from the field and 30.4% from three.



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