Woman apprehended for whacking man and his 9-year-old niece with a sex toy during the Phoenix Mercury's victory against Connecticut Sun in WNBA game.
In the past two weeks, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been disrupted by two shocking incidents involving sex toys being thrown onto the court during games. The latest incident occurred at the PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, where an 18-year-old fan, Kaden Lopez, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, assault, and public display of explicit sexual material [1].
The incident in Phoenix followed a similar one that took place during the Golden State Valkyries' game against the Atlanta Dream in College Park, Georgia, last month [1]. Another incident occurred during their game against the Chicago Sky. These incidents have raised concerns about fan behaviour and safety within WNBA arenas.
Players have expressed their frustration and concern. Sky center Elizabeth Williams called the behaviour "super disrespectful" and "really immature," while Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini described the objects being thrown as "super dangerous" [1]. The disruption caused by these incidents has also been a source of frustration for the players and teams.
The WNBA's fan code of conduct states that guests who throw objects will be immediately ejected from the arena. Guests who do not adhere to the code of conduct may face penalties including ejection, revocation of season tickets, and prevention from attending future games [2]. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban, in addition to potential arrest and prosecution by local authorities [3].
The Phoenix Police Department confirmed the arrest to the New York Post, and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office will make the final decision on Lopez's prosecution [4]. Lopez reportedly hurled the sex toy from his seat during the game after removing it from his sweater front pocket [5]. According to court documents, Lopez said it was a "stupid prank that was trending on social media" [5].
These incidents have sparked calls for improved arena security. New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison took to social media to demand better prevention, highlighting the danger of throwing anything onto the court [1]. The safety and well-being of everyone in WNBA arenas is a top priority for the league [6].
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in the WNBA this season. There have been at least three previous incidents of sex toys being tossed onto the court [7]. The league and its fans are hoping that these incidents will serve as a wake-up call for those who engage in such behaviour, and that stricter security measures will be implemented to prevent such objects from being brought into the arenas and thrown onto the court.
References:
- ESPN
- WNBA Fan Code of Conduct
- WNBA Arena Security Standards
- New York Post
- Court Documents
- WNBA Statement
- Sports Illustrated
- Despite the ongoing season, disconcerting incidents of throwing sex toys onto the WNBA court have disrupted games, with the latest occurrence taking place at the PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Expressing frustration, players like Elizabeth Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Isabelle Harrison have voiced concerns over the inappropriate fan behaviour and the potential danger it poses.
- To ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in WNBA arenas, the league has established strict measures such as ejection, penalties, and potential arrests for fans who throw objects onto the court.
- As the league grapples with repeated instances of such incidents this season, there is a growing call for improved security in all WNBA arenas, hoping to prevent such occurrences from happening in the future.
