WNBA match disrupted in final moments by adult product, with league head Cathy Engelbert condemning the escalating occurrence as completely intolerable
Sex Toys Thrown onto WNBA Courts: A Growing Concern
A troubling trend has emerged in the world of professional basketball, as several incidents have seen sex toys being thrown onto WNBA courts during games. The latest incident occurred on August 5, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the LA Sparks at the Crypto.com Arena, where Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was struck by a sex toy.
Cunningham, who had previously voiced her concerns about fan behavior on social media, expressed her disbelief about the incident on her Instagram Stories. The WNBA has taken a firm stance against such actions, announcing that anyone caught throwing objects onto the court will face prosecution and a ban from the league.
This is not an isolated incident. On August 2, 2025, a fan was arrested after throwing a sex toy during a game between the Minnesota Lynx (Valkyries) and Atlanta Dream in College Park, Georgia. The WNBA stated that anyone throwing objects onto the court faces immediate ejection and at least a one-year ban, alongside potential arrest.
The trend continued in Chicago, where a sex toy was thrown during the Sky's game against the Golden State Valkyries, marking the second such incident for the team in a week. In the most recent incident, an individual was identified and arrested, while two men were questioned by security after the incident in Chicago but were let go due to lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, there is an ongoing police search for a man who threw an object during a New York Liberty game at Barclays Center, which hit a 12-year-old girl in the leg. No organized group has publicly claimed responsibility for these incidents, but a group of cryptocurrency meme coin creators claimed responsibility for some of the incidents, starting to throw the green items to coincide with the launch of a new meme coin, the name of which is a play on a type of sex toy.
Players and coaches have condemned the behavior as disrespectful, dangerous, and immature. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has denounced the trend, calling it "unacceptable." Engelbert also stated that anyone caught throwing sex toys onto the court could face felony charges and a felony conviction.
The WNBA has emphasized a strong security response and legal measures against perpetrators to protect players and fans. As the investigations continue, the league and its teams are working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of all those involved in WNBA games.
[1] Reuters [2] Front Office Sports [3] CNN Sports
General-news outlets, such as Reuters, Front Office Sports, and CNN Sports, have reported on a growing concern in the crime-and-justice realm - the thrown of sex toys onto WNBA courts during games. This issue, which has led to several arrests and a stern stance by the WNBA, has marred the sports landscape, with the WNBA's Chicago Sky and New York Liberty teams among those affected.
