Fans throwing sex toys at WNBA games face potential criminal charges as league enacts tougher penalties
The safety of everyone in WNBA arenas remains a top priority, but a series of disruptions involving sex toys being thrown onto courts during games has caused concern. Over the last week and a half, at least six incidents have been reported across various venues.
The trend of throwing sex toys during WNBA games has been gaining traction on social media, with at least five reported occurrences. The latest updates on these incidents include the arrest of an 18-year-old man, Kaden Lopez, in Phoenix for allegedly throwing a sex toy during a game, which struck a man and possibly a 9-year-old girl. He faces one felony count of public display of obscene materials and two misdemeanor counts of assault and disorderly conduct; his next court appearance is scheduled for August 21, 2025. This incident is one of at least two arrests so far.
Another incident occurred in Los Angeles where a sex toy was thrown from the stands and landed near Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham during a game against the Sparks. This marked the third such incident in seven days, causing concern from players and coaches about player safety and respect for the game.
There is evidence suggesting these incidents might be part of a coordinated campaign by a cryptocurrency memecoin community, according to reports by The Athletic.
The WNBA has released a statement addressing the recent wave of fans hurling sex toys onto courts during games, indicating that appropriate actions, including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable, will be taken against anyone engaged in this conduct or involved in sponsoring it. The league is working with federal law enforcement to pursue criminal prosecution against the culprits involved in the incidents.
Sex toys were also reportedly thrown at games in New York and Phoenix on Tuesday, but did not appear to reach the court in those instances. There is an ongoing investigation into the incident in New York, as confirmed by the Liberty to The Associated Press. The man arrested in Georgia after the first incident in Atlanta was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, public indecency, and indecent exposure.
No further details about the arrest made in Chicago have been provided. The incident on Aug. 1 and the one that occurred on Thursday were also part of this series of disruptions. As the WNBA continues to prioritise the safety of its players, coaches, and fans, it is hoped that these incidents will cease and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
- The disturbing trend of throwing sex toys during WNBA games has led to an increased presence of general-news and crime-and-justice coverage, particularly after the arrest of Kaden Lopez in Phoenix for allegedly throwing a sex toy during a game.
- The latest WNBA season has seen several incidents of sex toys being thrown onto courts, with sports enthusiasts expressing their excitement for these events on social media, leading to concerns about the decorum of the sports environment.
- The WNBA's ongoing response to the sex toy incidents has included the pursuit of criminal charges, as evidenced by the arrests made in Phoenix, Atlanta, and Chicago, and the ongoing investigation into the New York incident.
