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The Street
The Street
Colin Salao

Malika Andrews files restraining order against man harassing her, Stephen A. Smith, and Molly Qerim

Some of ESPN's top stars have reportedly faced some disturbing harassment.

Malika Andrews, who hosts ESPN's 'NBA Today' and reports during the NBA Finals, has filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a 41-year-old New Jersey-based man named Ahmed Abubakar, according to a report by TMZ. 

Andrews claims that her colleagues Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, mainstays of ESPN's 'First Take,' have also received harassment from the man.

Related: ESPN officially announces overhaul to its broadcasting lineup for NBA coverage

According to the report, Andrews had received messages from the man on X (formerly Twitter) in September 2022. Those messages moved to other platforms, and TMZ showed an image from an Instagram chat that included some vile language from the man.

Some of those messages include threats that he would hire a lawyer to sue Andrews for extortion.

Related: Former ESPN Host Gives Blunt Take on Why ESPN's NBA Show Can't Beat TNT

Andrews says the threat of the man got more serious when he was able to obtain her unlisted phone number and called her several times.

He allegedly did the same thing towards Smith and Qerim, and even went to the latter's home in Connecticut unannounced.

Andrews also alleged that the man has traveled to ESPN's facilities in Los Angeles, where Andrews shoots NBA Today, in an attempt to find her, Smith, and Qerim.

The TRO had reportedly been granted hours after Andrews had filed it, and Abubakar has been requested to stay at least 100 yards away from her, her fiancé Dave McMenamin, who is also an ESPN reporter, and Smith.

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