A spectator responsible for throwing a sex toy on the court during the game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries on July 29 is now behind bars. The WNBA sent out a statement announcing the arrest and made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated.
“Any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities,” the league wrote. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. … The subject involved in the incident in Atlanta on Tuesday has been arrested.”
The green object was thrown on the court in the final minute of the game held in College Park, Georgia, with the scores tied at 75. You can check out the incident below.
Play was not stopped as the object lay on the court, and it was only later removed by a police officer. The Valkyries went on to win 77-75, but this incident was the biggest talking point after the game.
As if this happening once wasn’t bad enough, it happened again just a few days later. Another green sex toy was thrown under the basket during the third quarter of the Valkyries’ 73-66 win over the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Friday.
https://twitter.com/e__gsa/status/1951444897094828525
The officials immediately stopped play this time around, and the object was quickly taken away. It has been confirmed that it wasn’t the same individual who committed both of these acts. It’s unclear if the second individual has been identified.
Following this incident at the Sky-Valkyries game, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham took to X to ask fans to stop throwing objects on the court.
“Stop throwing d***** on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.”
New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison, meanwhile, stated on X that security has to be better at arenas.
“ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
The fact that two such incidents have taken place suggests that stronger security measures are needed at WNBA games. The players should not be put under any sort of risk, and you cannot fault the likes of Harrison for fuming over these incidents.
