Full Breakdown
Battery Charge Dropped Against Dallas Wings Guard Arike Ogunbowale
5/8/2026, 1:03:32 AM
Incident Overview
Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale was arrested on March 5 after police said she punched a man in a Miami nightclub, causing him to fall. The Florida State Attorney’s Office entered a nolle prosequi at a Wednesday hearing, dismissing the misdemeanor battery charge before trial.
Background
The altercation occurred while Ogunbowale was celebrating her team’s Unrivaled 3-on-3 league championship with Mist BC. She was at the South Beach venue E11EVEN when a dispute with security staff escalated, leading to the alleged punch. She was taken into custody at about 4:20 a.m. and later released pending court proceedings.
Key Figures & Statistics
- Arike Ogunbowale – 29-year-old Dallas guard, four-time WNBA All-Star, two-time All-Star Game MVP, three-time All-WNBA selection, entering her eighth season.
- Mitch Schuster – Attorney from Meister Seelig & Schuster representing Ogunbowale.
- Florida State Attorney’s Office – Prosecutor that withdrew the charge.
- Miami-Dade County Police – Issued the arrest report and provided video evidence.
- Dallas Wings – Re-signed Ogunbowale to a two-year contract earlier this offseason, reportedly accepting a reduced salary to stay in Dallas.
- Mist BC – The 3-on-3 squad with which she won the Unrivaled title.
Official Statements
Attorney Mitch Schuster said the State Attorney’s Office exercised discretion in dismissing the case, allowing Ogunbowale to refocus on her professional career. The prosecutor’s office offered no public explanation for the decision, and the Wings organization has not issued a comment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are pleased that the State Attorney's Office has exercised its discretion and elected not to move forward with this matter,” — Mitch Schuster, Attorney
- “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.” — Mitch Schuster, Attorney
- “God has blessed me with a good amount of money outside the court that I knew that in order to win here, you have to take less,” — Arike Ogunbowale, WNBA guard
- “BREAKING: The case against WNBA and Unrivaled star Arike Ogunbowale has been dismissed, per @AndySlater.” — Andy Slater, reporter (via tweet)
Impact on Career and Team
The dismissal removes a legal cloud that could have limited Ogunbowale’s playing time, endorsement prospects, and the Wings’ roster planning. As a leading scorer and veteran presence, her availability is crucial as Dallas opens the season against the Indiana Fever.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources confirm the charge was dropped, but none disclose why the State Attorney’s Office chose to dismiss it. No statements from the alleged victim or security personnel have been reported.
Upcoming Season
Dallas begins its 2024 season on Saturday versus Indiana. Ogunbowale is expected to report for preseason activities and continue as a primary offensive option for the Wings.
