Several players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have spoken out following two back-to-back incidents in which sex toys were thrown onto the court during games this week.
Newsweek has reached out to the WNBA about the incidents and policies through its online statement request system Saturday. Newsweek also reached out to the Golden State Valkyries, the Atlanta Dream, and the Chicago Sky via email Saturday.
Why It Matters
The latest incidents have raised concerns about player safety, security protocols in sports venues, and what some athletes called a lack of respect for women’s basketball.
As the league draws record attention and attendance, several players said they feared for their physical safety and the image of the sport, while calling for tighter security and greater accountability for disruptive fans.
What To Know
The first incident occurred on Tuesday during the Golden State Valkyries’ closely contested away game against the Atlanta Dream at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. Three days later, a second incident took place during the Valkyries’ matchup against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
During the end of the Valkyries’ game against the Atlanta Dream, a neon green sex toy was seen landing near the free throw line with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter.
Arena staff removed the object after a brief stoppage in play and the Valkyries went on to win 77-75.
“It was super dangerous,” Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini said following the incident, ESPN reported. “And then when we found out what it was, I guess we just started laughing. I’ve never seen anything like that. I’m just glad we worked through that situation. We stayed locked in, we stayed concentrated.”
But the team saw a second incident just days later when they played against the Chicago Sky. Early in the third quarter, a similar green sex toy was thrown past the baseline, prompting officials to pause the game, People reported.
Video showed a referee pushing the object off the court before a staff member removed it with a towel.
What People Are Saying
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham wrote in a post on X on Friday: “stop throwing dildos on the court…you’re going to hurt one of us.”
New York Liberty power forward Isabelle Harrison posted on X on Friday: “ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.
Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams said after Friday’s game at Wintrust Arena, per ESPN: “It’s super disrespectful. I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up.”
Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes said during a postgame press conference: “One of our players almost got hit with it, so that’s very dangerous.”
What Happens Next?
The incidents have prompted calls among players and fans for increased arena security and stricter enforcement of the WNBA’s Fan Code of Conduct.
League officials have not released a public statement regarding the repeated disruptions.
It remains unclear what disciplinary actions might be taken, or whether the WNBA will implement new measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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