Disturbing Trend of Objects Thrown at WNBA Games

News Summary

A troubling trend has emerged in the WNBA, with fans throwing sex toys onto the court during games, raising concerns about player safety and fan behavior. Recent incidents occurred in Los Angeles and Atlanta, leading to arrests and strong reactions from players and coaches. The league is emphasizing the importance of safety and implementing strict measures against such disruptive behavior. As multiple cities report similar occurrences, the WNBA is addressing the cultural implications of fan conduct in professional sports.

Los Angeles – A disturbing trend has emerged in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as incidents of fans throwing sex toys onto the court have escalated across multiple cities in recent days, raising concerns about player safety and fan behavior. The most recent event occurred on August 1, 2025, during a game at Crypto.com Arena between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever, when a green sex toy landed near Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during the second quarter of the match.

The incident took place with 2:05 remaining in the second quarter, catching both the players and the audience off guard. In response, Sparks guard Kelsey Plum kicked the toy into the stands. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts denounced the action as “ridiculous,” “dumb,” and “stupid,” emphasizing that ensuring the safety of players is a top priority for the team and the league.

This incident is not an isolated case. Prior to this, a similar occurrence unfolded in Atlanta during a game between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries, where a fan named Delbert Carver was arrested and charged for throwing a sex toy onto the court. This earlier incident on July 29 led to charges of disorderly conduct, public indecency, and criminal trespass for Carver.

The phenomenon extends beyond Los Angeles and Atlanta. On the same day as the Sparks vs. Fever matchup, another sex toy was thrown during the Golden State versus Chicago Sky game. Fortunately, officials acted swiftly to remove the toy from the court area. Additionally, reports have indicated that green sex toys were thrown in other cities such as Phoenix and New York, although they did not make it onto the court. In one instance at Barclays Center, a toy landed disturbingly close to a child in the stands.

In light of these incidents, Sophie Cunningham had previously taken to social media to express her concerns regarding the dangerous behavior of fans throwing objects onto the court, highlighting the potential for serious injury. Following the latest incident during the game, Cunningham humorously referred to her earlier appeal for fans to refrain from tossing items, illustrating the strange blend of humor and frustration players feel about the situation.

The WNBA has addressed these troubling incidents, reiterating that the safety and well-being of everyone inside their arenas remain a top priority. The league is taking strict measures to combat this behavior, including the enforcement of immediate ejections from games and minimum one-year bans for any individual found throwing objects onto the court. Additionally, local authorities are involved, as those engaged in such actions may face legal charges.

The frequency and nature of these incidents have raised questions about not only player safety but also the overarching culture of fan behavior within professional sports. The WNBA, like other leagues, is grappling with how to ensure a safe environment for athletes while still promoting an engaging atmosphere for fans.

The 2025 WNBA season has experienced various challenges, but the rise of these alarming incidents of fandom gone awry may require the league and teams to implement further preventive measures and promote awareness campaigns aimed at protecting players and maintaining the integrity of the game.

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Additional Resources

• CNN
• Google Search: WNBA sex toy incidents
• CBS Sports
• Google Scholar: WNBA fan behavior
• USA Today
• Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA
• ESPN
• Google News: WNBA fan thrown sex toy
• New York Post
• Sportico