Recently, incidents involving the throwing of adult toys onto the court during WNBA games have sparked diverse reactions from sports fans online. However, a mental health expert is highlighting the deeper implications these acts have for women, especially those in women’s sports.
The first such event was reported on July 29th during a game between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries in College Park, Georgia, when a neon green adult toy was thrown onto the court, causing a temporary halt with less than a minute left in a closely contested match. Some online users found the situation amusing, likening it to similar occurrences during the 2016 and 2017 NFL games involving the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots.
Unfortunately, these incidents did not stop there. Similar acts occurred on August 1st and again on the following Tuesday in other WNBA games. After the August 1st game between the Chicago Sky and the Golden State Valkyries, Sky Center Elizabeth Williams condemned the behavior as "very rude" and immature. New York Liberty forward Isabel Harrison called for increased arena security via social media, emphasizing the danger and lack of entertainment value in such actions.
On Tuesday, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks, another adult toy was thrown onto the court and landed near Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who responded with humor. Nonetheless, many players and fans criticized this as creepy, mean-spirited, and misogynistic.
The WNBA has declared that anyone caught throwing objects onto the court will face at least a one-year ban and possible arrest and prosecution. Reports also mention similar incidents in games held in New York and Phoenix, though in those cases, the toys did not reach the court.
At least two men have been arrested in connection with these acts. Given that the targets are predominantly women in women’s sports leagues—many of whom are Black and LGBTQ+—it’s essential to reflect on what these recurring incidents signify. WNBA players have long advocated for better pay and respect within women’s sports.
Licensed professional counselor Alexandra Cromer from Threviveworks said these actions convey a crude, disrespectful, and misogynistic message. As a former college athlete, Cromer believes throwing items onto playing fields is unacceptable in any sport. She explained that using sexual objects in such disruptions sends a harmful message that women cannot claim autonomous spaces without being sexualized or viewed through a male-centric lens, thus perpetuating misogynistic and heteronormative biases, especially impactful on LGBTQ+ players.
Cromer pointed out that many online jokes about these incidents reveal a broader lack of respect for women, particularly women of color and the women’s sports industry. This disrespect contributes to the challenges women face as they progress in professional sports, compounded by racial and gender biases.
The fact that these incidents have not occurred in NBA games highlights the contrasting treatment between male and female sports. Cromer also emphasized the potential emotional damage these actions can cause, noting that some players might have histories of sexual abuse or trauma, making the throwing of such items especially harmful. Additionally, she stressed the physical danger posed by throwing objects onto the court, noting that such behavior disregards players’ safety.
Fan Take: These disturbing incidents matter deeply to WNBA fans because they strike at the heart of respect and equality in sports. If left unchecked, such behaviors could undermine the progress and perception of women’s professional basketball, jeopardizing its growth and the dignity of its players.
