Dealing with Incidents of Sex Toys Being Thrown: A Look at the WNBA's Approach
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been facing an unusual challenge in recent times, with multiple instances of sex toys being thrown onto court during games in various cities. The incidents have occurred in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Chicago again, and have caused a stir in the sports world.
The most recent incident took place during the closing seconds of the Atlanta Dream's victory over the Sky, and the sex toy landed on the court. Previously, a sex toy nearly hit Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during Indiana's game against the Sparks in Los Angeles. Similarly, sex toys were also thrown at games in New York and Phoenix, but they didn't reach the court.
The source of these disruptions appears to be linked to a coordinated effort by a crypto memecoin community aiming to disrupt games. Despite the frustration and concern expressed by players and coaches, who prioritise player safety, official responses have emphasised focusing on the game and not giving the disruptions attention. However, there are no detailed reports specifying concrete security measures or policies being implemented to prevent these disturbances.
Arena security faces challenges in catching sex toys due to their non-metal components and difficulty in detecting them when carried on a spectator's body. This has led to concerns about the safety of the players and the integrity of the games. Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve have publicly called for improved arena security, stating that it's not funny and never was.
The WNBA has stated that any spectators throwing objects onto the court will face a minimum one-year ban and prosecution from law enforcement. In Georgia, a man was arrested for throwing a sex toy onto the court during the Atlanta Dream's game against the Golden State Valkyries, and he is now charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, public indecency, and indecent exposure, all of which are misdemeanors in Georgia. No arrests have been made for the incidents in Los Angeles and Chicago. The Sparks are working with arena personnel to identify the individuals responsible.
The sexualization of women in sports has been a topic of conversation online due to the sex toy disturbances in the WNBA, particularly given the high-profile amount of lesbian and queer players. The WNBA has faced multiple interruptions from sex toys being thrown onto the court during games, notably in August 2025 incidents involving the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks. The league and teams have publicly condemned these disruptions as dangerous and disrespectful to player safety and the integrity of the game.
On a more positive note, it seems that legal action is seen as one of the strongest deterrents for throwing sex toys onto the court, according to Richmond. Furthermore, at least one crypto-based predictions market is offering trades allowing users to wager on whether sex toys will be thrown at future WNBA games.
Despite the challenges, the WNBA continues to strive for excellence and uphold the integrity of the game. The league has not implemented a consistent screening process across all stadiums due to concerns about expediency and security, but efforts are being made to ensure the safety of the players and the enjoyment of the games for all fans.
- The WNBA has stated that spectators who throw objects onto the court, such as sex toys, will face a minimum one-year ban and potential prosecution from law enforcement.
- In Atlanta, a man was arrested for throwing a sex toy onto the court during the Atlanta Dream's game and is now charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, public indecency, and indecent exposure.
- The sexualization of women in sports has been a topic of conversation due to the sex toy disturbances in the WNBA, with some believing that legal action is one of the strongest deterrents for such behavior.
- The WNBA continues to strive for excellence and uphold the integrity of the game, making efforts to ensure the safety of the players and the enjoyment of the games for all fans, despite challenges such as the difficulty in detecting non-metal objects like sex toys when carried by spectators.
