During a recent WNBA game in Los Angeles, an object of an intimate nature was hurled onto the court from the stands, landing near Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham. This incident, one of several similar occurrences, transpired with just over two minutes left in the second quarter.

Cunningham, who had previously expressed concern about fans throwing such objects, recoiled in surprise. Fellow player Kelsey Plum promptly removed the item from the court. The incident prompted reactions from both teammates and coaches, with Sparks coach Lynne Roberts labeling the act as ‘ridiculous’, ‘dumb’, and ‘stupid’, while underscoring the potential risks to player safety.

Similar objects were thrown in Phoenix and New York, though they did not reach the courts. The incident at Barclays Center saw the object land near a child, raising important questions about spectator safety.

Just a week prior, a comparable incident occurred during the Atlanta Dream’s game against the Golden State Valkyries in College Park, Georgia. According to the WNBA, a fan was arrested, ejected from the arena, and faced a minimum one-year ban.

Such acts have been met with strong disapproval from players and officials alike. Sky center Elizabeth Williams referred to the incidents as ‘super disrespectful’, urging those responsible to ‘grow up’. Similarly, New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison expressed her concerns on social media, criticizing the actions of the individuals involved and calling on arena security for better management.

@metrosportuk

The THIRD adult toy incident in the WNBA in the last week 🫣 Another s*x toy was thrown onto the court in the WNBA, but this time it was during Los Angeles Sparks’ 100-91 win against Idiana Fever, and means it’s the third time in one week it’s happened. As a result, Sparks’ coach, Lynne Roberts, says ‘it’s ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s stupid’. #wnba #basketball #womensbasketball #sportsnews #sports #metro #metrosportuk #caitlinclark #indianafever #fever #losangelessparks #lasparks #sparks #adult #adultcontent #basketballtiktok #basketballtok #basketballnews #lynneroberts #metrosport

♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

The WNBA released a statement, stressing that “The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league.” The league further warned that any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will face immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban, and potential legal consequences.

These unsettling incidents remind us of the importance of maintaining respect and decorum in our shared spaces of entertainment. As these investigations continue, we are reminded of the paramount importance of safety in our arenas, for players and fans alike.