WNBA players expressed frustration following a second incident this week where a sex toy was thrown onto the court during a game. On March 15, 2024, in the third quarter of the Golden State Valkyries’ 73-66 victory over the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, a bright green toy was hurled from the stands. The object landed just beyond the out-of-bounds line, interrupting the game as officials paused play to address the situation.
After the incident, Elizabeth Williams, center for the Chicago Sky, spoke to reporters, stating, “It’s super disrespectful. I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever’s doing it just needs to grow up.” The game resumed after an official kicked the toy to the side and it was subsequently removed with a towel.
This incident came just three days after another similar occurrence, when a sex toy was thrown onto the court during the Valkyries’ 77-75 win against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. The sequence of events has raised concerns among players about safety and respect within the league.
In response to the repeated disruptions, several players took to social media to voice their discontent. New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison sharply criticized arena security on X, writing, “ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
Echoing her sentiments, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham added, “Stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.” The players’ comments highlight an urgent need for improved security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The WNBA has yet to release an official statement regarding these incidents. As the league continues to grow in popularity, maintaining a respectful and safe environment for athletes remains paramount.