Sex toys thrown onto WNBA courts have resurfaced, creating arrests, bans and sharp reactions from players and fans.
They’re back in stadiums across the league, and this wave of tossed adult items has prompted fresh concern from players, teams and security staff. The trend first spiked in 2025 and led to a string of bans and policy changes, but it has not stopped determined spectators from slipping objects into arenas. Players have responded in different ways, from public pleas for civility to pointed on-court reactions.
The most recent incident occurred on August 20 during an Atlanta Dream-Los Angeles Sparks game and once again interrupted play and drew law enforcement attention. Arena security apprehended the individual involved and the situation quickly became a focal point for media coverage and league response. Fans and officials are debating how to prevent copycat episodes while keeping entry processes efficient.
The individual that threw a green dildo onto the court during Thursday’s Dream-Sparks game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was arrested after being apprehended by arena security, according to Front Office Sports.
The person, who was not named, reportedly received an indefinite ban from all WNBA, NBA and other league-affiliated games and events.
https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/2090660772749734091
The alleged perpetrator, who was wearing a Lakers No. 77 Luka Doncic jersey, was seen running out of the 100s section and pushed a security guard at the top of the stairs in a video posted by LoJo Media.
“Right there! Get him!” Reese repeatedly said, according to some lip-readers.
She also appeared to comment on the length of the object to someone in the vicinity.
A second incident followed on August 21 at the Chicago Sky-Golden State Valkyries game, and Sky point guard Natasha Cloud responded on the spot, saying, “That is the gayest thing you can do.” Cloud’s comment, and the broader conversation it triggered, highlighted how quickly audience antics can turn into cultural flashpoints. Some voices immediately labeled the line inappropriate under campaigns like ‘Think Before You Speak’, while others defended the frank reaction as a candid expression of frustration.
Observers and commentators have linked these throw-ins to a mix of attention-seeking behavior and protest performance, noting that stadium culture can sometimes encourage escalation. Security teams face a difficult balance: strict bag checks and body searches slow entry and frustrate fans, but lighter screening lets contraband slip through. Arena operators are weighing adjustments to screening without turning every game into an ordeal for ticket holders.
Players have taken varying approaches when incidents occur. Some publicly urge fans to stop and stress safety, while others use on-court comments to express anger or disbelief at the disruption. The reactions underline how the incidents affect athletes beyond the immediate interruption, touching on respect, safety and the tone of the spectator environment.
League officials have responded with bans and in some cases criminal charges when an arrest was possible, but enforcement is uneven and reactive by nature. When a person is caught, leagues have moved to bar that individual from WNBA, NBA and other affiliated events, signaling a tougher stance. Still, the question of deterrence remains, because consequences only apply after an incident has already occurred.
Former victims of the trend have spoken candidly about how being hit or nearly hit altered their view of attending games. A number of players have called for fans to behave responsibly and for venues to consider pragmatic options like improved camera monitoring and targeted enforcement in problem sections. Those ideas aim to keep crowds safe while preserving the fan experience.
Legal experts note that prosecutions are possible when someone assaults staff or players or breaks venue rules, but proving intent and locating perpetrators in crowded arenas can be challenging. Security footage and eyewitness accounts have led to arrests in some cases, and leagues have shown a willingness to impose indefinite bans on offenders. The mix of criminal and civil remedies gives teams some tools, but not a guaranteed fix.
For now, games continue under heightened awareness, with teams reminding fans that conduct matters and that disruptions will carry penalties. The incidents remain a nuisance and a safety concern for players, and they continue to spark debate about fan behavior, enforcement and where responsibility should lie. Investigations and policy reviews on these episodes are ongoing as the league and local venues try to curb the trend.
