Incidents Disrupt Two Games
A Friday night game in Chicago saw the Sky's match with the Golden State Valkyries halted in the third quarter due to a bizarre incident. Several sex toys were hurled from the crowd, with a green one disrupting play as it landed on the court. After its removal, the Sky emerged victorious, 73-70. Similarly, the previous evening, the Atlanta Dream's 124-88 win over the Los Angeles Sparks was briefly interrupted when a sex toy was thrown near Sparks player Park Ji-hyun during a free throw attempt.[S1][S2]
These incidents echo a series of disruptions last season, when six WNBA games in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles were halted between July and August. A meme-coin group claimed responsibility for those acts, and the same group has reportedly vowed to continue protesting the league's transgender athlete policy. No transgender athletes currently play in the WNBA, but recent comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham have fueled debate.[S1]
Reactions and Consequences
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud criticized the throwers, calling them 'lame' and 'weird,' and said the acts reveal more about the individuals' internal struggles than about any group. She added that such behavior shows weakness and reflects poorly on their views of women. In Los Angeles, Angel Reese was seen pointing at the alleged perpetrator, and video shows a man in a Luka Doncic jersey trying to flee before being caught by security.[S1][S2]
The man arrested at Crypto.com Arena faces a lifetime ban from WNBA games, according to a New York Times report. The league issued a statement saying any fan who intentionally throws an object will be ejected, banned for at least a year, and subject to arrest and prosecution. Last season, several men were arrested on charges including assault and disorderly conduct. It remains unclear if the Chicago thrower has been identified.[S1][S2]
Broader Context and League Policy
The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible to play, a rule that has become a focal point in the transgender debate. The league has not commented on the latest incidents beyond its statement. Some observers, like Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, have condemned the acts as part of a long history of sexualizing women, urging accountability rather than humor.[S1][S4]
