In a significant legal victory for one of the WNBA's brightest stars, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale will no longer face a battery charge stemming from a nightclub incident in Miami earlier this year. The Florida State Attorney's Office has officially dismissed the case, allowing the All-Star to focus entirely on her standout basketball career.
Ogunbowale's attorney, Mitch Schuster of Meister Seelig & Schuster, confirmed the development to USA TODAY Sports, noting that online court filings show no further hearings are scheduled. "We are pleased that the State Attorney's Office has exercised its discretion and elected not to move forward with this matter," Schuster stated. "Ms. Ogunbowale is a person of outstanding character, and we are excited that these charges have been dismissed so she can resume her focus on her professional career."
The incident dates back to March 5, when Ogunbowale was arrested at 4:22 a.m.—just hours after leading her team, Mist BC, to a championship victory in the Unrivaled league in Miami. According to the arrest report obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the responding officer was working an extra duty detail at E11EVAN, a popular Miami nightclub. Security personnel flagged down the officer, who then investigated an altercation involving the WNBA star.
The alleged victim told police he was attempting to escort Ogunbowale out of the club "due to an unrelated altercation" when she allegedly punched him in the face with a closed fist, causing him to fall to the ground. The police report does not clarify whether the victim was a club security employee. Ogunbowale was taken into custody without incident, charged with misdemeanor battery, and released after posting a $1,000 bond. She entered a not guilty plea on April 9.
Now 29, Ogunbowale has built an impressive resume since her college days at Notre Dame, where she led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 2018. As a seven-year WNBA veteran with the Dallas Wings, she has established herself as one of the league's most dynamic scorers. Her accolades include three top-10 MVP finishes, two All-Star Game MVP awards, the 2020 WNBA scoring title, and leading the league in steals in 2024. With this legal matter behind her, Ogunbowale can now channel her full energy back onto the court, where she continues to be a fan favorite and a force to be reckoned with.