Sexual device cast onto WNBA court, with apparent impact on guard Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever this time
In a surprising turn of events, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been grappling with a series of unusual distractions during games in August 2025. Objects, specifically sex toys, have been thrown onto the court during various games, causing safety concerns and disrupting the flow of the game.
The latest incident occurred at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles during a game between the Sparks and the Indiana Fever. Lynne Roberts, coach of the Sparks, expressed her disapproval, calling the incident "ridiculous, dumb, stupid," dangerous, and disrespectful to the game. Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Sparks, quickly kicked the toy off the court.
Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, was unfortunately struck by the toy, causing a brief halt in the game. After the game, Cunningham took to social media, expressing her frustration, stating, "this did NOT age well," and posting on Instagram, "No way that thing actually hit me."
This is not an isolated incident. Previously, a fan was arrested for throwing a sex toy during a Valkyries vs. Dream game in Atlanta, and the WNBA has made it clear that anyone throwing objects onto the court will face immediate ejection and a minimum one-year ban, along with potential arrest and prosecution by local authorities.
Despite these measures, additional incidents occurred shortly afterward at games involving the Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and New York Liberty. The identities of the perpetrators in these cases remain unknown.
The safety and well-being of everyone in WNBA arenas is a top priority for the league. As a result, increased arena security measures, such as bag checks and no-bag or clear-bag policies, have been implemented to prevent further incidents.
The WNBA and team officials have condemned the behavior, emphasizing player safety and respect for the game. The league has also stated that any fan caught engaging in such behavior will face prosecution as well as a ban from the league.
The court date for the individual arrested in Atlanta has yet to be established. Despite the ongoing challenges with enforcement and fan behavior, players and coaches continue to express their concerns and frustration over these disruptions.
References:
- ESPN
- Reuters
- CBS Sports
- The recent wave of sex toy disruptions in WNBA games has expanded to involve multiple teams, including the Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and New York Liberty, causing ongoing concerns for player safety and game integrity.
- In tandem with stricter arena security measures such as bag checks and clear-bag policies, the WNBA has taken a firm stance against this behavior, with those caught engaging in such acts facing immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban, potential arrest, and prosecution by local authorities.
- These incidents have not only disrupted the flow of NBA games but have also been met with disapproval from players and coaches, with some, like Lynne Roberts of the Los Angeles Sparks, calling them "ridiculous, dumb, stupid," dangerous, and disrespectful to the game.
