By It has happened again. A sex toy was shoved onto the court during a WNBA game, and everyone was left stunned. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has finally had enough and is speaking out against this bizarre and growing problem.
While it was funny to some as a kind of inside joke, this is no laughing matter for the players, the fans, and the league. And in fact, this is the third time in over a month’s period where something has brought play to a halt.
What in the world is happening here? And what’s the league going to do about it? Let’s discuss.
What Happened During the Game?
With only seconds left in a tightly contested WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, a sex toy was already tossed from the stands. It fell on or close to centre court during the pass.
Security advanced. Play was halted. Players looked stunned and humiliated. Those around them whipped out phones. Meme culture ensued online shortly after.
And TMZ Sports says the merchandise was then removed from the shelves, but only after the harm was already done.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbart Weighs In
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbart was not afraid to speak out on the incident just a few hours after the game. She called the actions “totally unacceptable” and vowed action.
“We have to be able to stand up for our players and provide a safe environment to play. These are distracting and frightening moments,” she said.
She said further safety precautions will be communicated to security staff on the teams.
Is This A Pattern?
Unfortunately, yes.
This is the third time in 35 days a sex toy was hurled onto the court in a WNBA game:
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It was also hurled at a Chicago Sky game late last July.
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It happened again recently at a Phoenix Mercury game.
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And now this one.
There has not been any other major professional sporting league to have that many comparable incidents happen to it over recent times. That is one of the reasons why it is so out of the ordinary and disturbing.
Why Is This Happening?
Nobody’s taking credit. Some call it trying to go viral. Others claim it’s because of complete disrespect for women’s sports.
Pundits such as Dr. Emily Rosen, a Rutgers University sociologist, are saying that:
“Public stunts like this are part of a pattern of online attention-seeking behaviour.”
“It’s not about basketball. It’s about the way people utilize disruption in order to pursue clicks,” she went on to state in an interview with CBS News.
What’s the Players’ Take?
Liberty star Breanna Stewart appeared visibly shaken afterwards.
“It is not funny. This is our job. Would someone do this at an NBA game?” she rhetorically asked the media.
Her teammate Sabrina Ionescu agreed, deeming it “embarrassing for all involved.”
No players were hurt this time, but sooner or later, it might. A loose item flying towards players could actually injure a player.
Security Plans to Implement
Cathy Engelbart indicated the league is considering:
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Tougher bag checks at gates
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Additional cameras patrolling arenas
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Permanent bans for fans who get caught doing this
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More employees stationed near courtside seating areas
Arenas nationwide are also being requested to take a closer look at their own security protocols.
The WNBA is not playing around. And they shouldn’t have to.
Media and Fan Reaction
Social media lost it afterwards. Some made light of it, while others were quick to denounce disrespect.
One Twitter user wrote:
“Would this EVER happen at an NFL game? Shows the lack of respect women’s sport still gets.”
Meanwhile, on Reddit’s r/WNBA subreddit, fans were embarrassed and wanted the league to toughen up.
How Does This Compare to Other Sports?
In the past, we’ve seen weird items thrown onto sports fields:
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Fish tossed at NHL games in Detroit
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Bottles thrown during soccer matches
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Trash hurled at NBA refs
But sex toys? That’s new — and decidedly disruptive.
They are not like a bottle or popcorn. These products seem somehow to mock the league and its players. Not rudeness, but intentional humiliation.
What Could the League Do Differently?
Experts say the WNBA must get tougher and perhaps add local police.
Sports lawyer Jason Martin told ESPN:
“If the goal is to be obscene or if you’re tossed with the purpose of causing a disruption, you can be charged. It’s not a joke. It’s criminal behaviour.”
Maybe it’s time the WNBA institutes some actual legal consequences — suspensions are not sufficient.
How Fans Can Stop This from Happening
It’s easy enough to be a passive observer who doesn’t count. If you do, however, observe something unusual while attending an event, report staff.
✅ Report anyone who brings strange things
✅ Call out someone if you see them acting badly
✅ Pay the players to be a good friend
Sports fans create sports culture. Let us not be like a mob and turn a serious business into a circus.
Why This Matters More Than It Appears
It is not one game or one joke. This is about a larger issue: a lack of general respect for women’s athletics.
The WNBA has grown quickly. Ratings are higher. Sponsorship is healthy. But this is a reminder that there is more work to be done.
What’s Next?
The league next week will discuss policy changes. Fan conduct will be priority number one on the agenda for the rest of the 2025 season, Engelbert said.
Will we be seeing newly implemented arena rules? Arrests? Life bans from public? Perhaps all three.
Something needs to be done.
Final Thoughts
Sex Toy Smashed on Court Again: WNBA Commissioner Condemns Increasing Disturbance — it’s not just a headline. It’s a warning.
If the fans are not going to respect the game, then the league needs to step in. And now.
The female athletes are better than that. And it starts with nobody ever thinking it’s fine to disrupt a game.
📣 Call to Action
Want to show support for women’s sport in the right way?
🎟️ Buy tickets. Support respectfully. Tell others.
Let’s make the games safe and fun — for everyone.
