Fans and community members face mounting pressure to support the league and protect the athletes from dangerous distractions. (Image Source: X)
Multiple Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) games have been disrupted in recent days as brightly colored sex toys were thrown onto courts and benches, leaving players, coaches, and fans frustrated and concerned about safety.
The latest incident occurred during a Thursday night game between the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky, when a purple sex toy was hurled onto the court in the closing seconds. While some individuals in the stands were questioned, no immediate arrests followed.
Similar disruptions have happened at other games, including a green sex toy thrown near Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham during a match against the Los Angeles Sparks. Cunningham had previously appealed to fans on social media to stop the dangerous antics, warning, “You’re going to hurt one of us.”
WNBA players and coaches have voiced their frustration over these immature and disrespectful acts.
Chicago Sky player Elizabeth Williams said, “It’s super disrespectful. I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up.”
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve called the incidents a “distraction” and linked them to the broader issue of sexualization of women in sports. “This has been going on for centuries,” she said. “It’s not funny and it should not be the butt of jokes on radio shows or in print.”
So far, two arrests have been made in connection to these disruptions. Delbert Carver, 23, was charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency, and criminal trespass after throwing a sex toy at a July 29 game in Atlanta.
On August 5 in Phoenix, 18-year-old Kaden Lopez was arrested after throwing a sex toy that struck another fan.
The WNBA condemned the actions, emphasizing safety. “Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans,” the league stated. Fans caught engaging in such behavior face lifetime bans and possible prosecution.
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A meme-coin group named Green Dildo Coin has claimed responsibility for some of the disruptions. According to a spokesperson speaking anonymously to USA Today, the group coordinated the throwing of green sex toys to coincide with their coin’s launch, aiming for viral attention.
“We didn’t do this because we dislike women’s sports,” the spokesperson said. “Some of the narratives that are trending are ridiculous.”
However, the group clarified that the two individuals arrested were not affiliated with them, and not all sex toy incidents involved green toys, suggesting other unrelated perpetrators.
The wave of incidents has prompted calls for stronger security and increased awareness about respecting women athletes. Players have frequently warned spectators that these acts put players in danger of harm and jeopardize the league's legitimacy.
The WNBA remains firm that it will not tolerate such disruptions and continues to work with law enforcement to hold offenders accountable. Fans are urged to support the players and enjoy the sport without resorting to harmful antics.
