The WNBA’s Unwanted Streak: Sex Toys Keep Landing on the Court
A Disturbing Trend
Twice in One Week
For the second time in seven days, a WNBA game was interrupted by a sex toy hurled onto the court. This time, it happened during a heated matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Seattle Valkyries. The object—a neon pink vibrator—landed near Valkyries guard Jewell Loyd as she lined up for a free throw.
Loyd didn’t flinch, sinking the shot, but the crowd’s reaction was a mix of groans and uneasy laughter. The Sky’s veteran forward, Candace Parker, later called it 'disrespectful as hell.' The league, already scrambling after a similar incident in Las Vegas days earlier, now faces a bizarre but serious problem: someone—or some group—is testing how far they can push the boundaries of fan misconduct.
Why This Isn’t Just a Joke
The Bigger Stakes
On the surface, it’s easy to dismiss this as juvenile pranking. But dig deeper, and the pattern reeks of something uglier. The WNBA has long battled for respect in a sports landscape that often dismisses women’s athletics as lesser. Players like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have been vocal about the double standards in how fan behavior is policed.
Imagine a dildo flying onto an NBA court during a playoff game. It’s unthinkable. Yet here, it’s happened twice in a week. The subtext? A segment of fans still sees the WNBA as a punchline rather than a professional league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert now has to walk a tightrope—addressing the incidents without amplifying the trolls.
The League’s Response
Security Crackdowns and Frustration
After the first incident in Las Vegas, the league promised increased arena security. Clearly, it wasn’t enough. The Valkyries-Sky game already had extra staff, but the toy still made it onto the hardwood.
Sources say the WNBA is considering stricter bag checks, higher fines for offenders, and even lifetime bans. But there’s a catch: identifying the culprits is tough. Unlike thrown drinks or fists, sex toys are small, easily concealed, and often tossed from crowded sections.
Some players, like Seattle’s Sue Bird, argue the solution isn’t just punitive. 'We need fans to call this crap out when they see it,' she tweeted after the game. 'Silence is complicity.'
The Cultural Undercurrent
When Misogyny Masquerades as 'Fun'
Let’s be real: no one throws a dildo at a women’s game by accident. It’s a calculated act, one that reduces athletes to objects in a way male players rarely experience.
Dr. Nicole LaVoi, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, points out the gendered lens. 'Male fans who do this are asserting dominance,' she says. 'It’s not just about disrupting play—it’s about reminding women they’re not fully in control of their own space.'
The timing stings, too. The WNBA is riding record attendance and TV ratings, with stars like Caitlin Clark bringing in new audiences. These incidents threaten to overshadow that progress, turning games into tabloid fodder instead of sporting events.
What Comes Next
A League at a Crossroads
The WNBA’s next move will set a precedent. If they downplay this, it signals tolerance. If they overreact, they risk giving trolls the attention they crave.
One idea gaining traction: partnering with players to launch a PSA campaign. Imagine a spot with Diana Taurasi deadpanning, 'Keep your toys at home. We’re here to ball.' Humor, but with teeth.
Meanwhile, teams are brainstorming fan-led solutions. The Valkyries are reportedly piloting a text hotline for reporting suspicious behavior anonymously. It’s a start, but the real fix is cultural. As Sky coach James Wade put it: 'Respect isn’t hard. Unless you’re determined to be a clown.'
#WNBA #SportsRespect #GenderEquality
