Miscreants Tossing Sex Toys Aim for Attention or Financial Gain, According to WNBA Commissioner
In a bizarre turn of events, sex toys have been thrown onto the court during multiple WNBA games, causing distractions and safety concerns among players. These incidents, first documented during games in Los Angeles in August 2025, have drawn public attention and social media discussions [1].
A group of crypto memecoin traders, known for trading in highly speculative and meme-driven markets, have reportedly used prediction markets like Polymarket to bet on whether such unusual incidents would occur in upcoming WNBA matches. Polymarket allows users to place bets on real-world events, profiting if their predictions come true. The chaotic and unpredictable nature of these incidents makes them attractive for speculative betting and meme-based trading [1][2].
This connection highlights how certain unpredictable social phenomena become the subject of financial speculation through emerging decentralized prediction platforms. Offshore prediction market Polymarket has monetized and arguably encouraged the mayhem, with traders earning thousands of dollars by predicting disruption [1].
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has reiterated that the incidents involving sex toys at WNBA games are unacceptable and senseless. Engelbert, who has been a woman in business for almost 40 years, commends the players for their handling of the latest disruptions. She states that some people might find the incidents funny, but they are not [3].
The WNBA launched an anti-hate program earlier this season to combat toxic discourse and unwanted in-arena behavior. The program includes a new task force, an updated fan code of conduct, and support from the Women's National Basketball Players Association [4].
In a statement, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve stated that the sexualization of women is what's used to hold women down, and this is no different [5].
Three incidents involving sex toys occurred at WNBA games on Tuesday. A man in Atlanta and another in Phoenix were arrested for throwing sex toys at the games. Two men claimed responsibility for the trend, stating it was an attempt to gain attention for their project [6].
Despite the ongoing disruptions, Engelbert feels the series of misdeeds feels all too familiar. Multiple WNBA players have spoken about social media abuse and hateful speech in arenas [7]. Even Donald Trump Jr. posted a computer-generated image of the president tossing a sex toy towards a group of women's basketball players [8].
As the WNBA continues to combat these incidents, the focus remains on ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all players and fans.
References:
[1] [Article 1] [2] [Article 2] [3] [Article 3] [4] [Article 4] [5] [Article 5] [6] [Article 6] [7] [Article 7] [8] [Article 8]
People from various fields, including sports business and general-news, are discussing the incidents of sex toys being thrown onto the WNBA court during games. Some people are using prediction markets to bet on the occurrence of such incidents, with a crypto memecoin trading group reportedly cashing in on these bets. However, the WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has strongly condemned these incidents, stating that they are senseless and unacceptable. The WNBA, in response, has launched an anti-hate program to combat toxic discourse and unwanted in-arena behavior.
