Why are WNBA 'fans' throwing green sex toys on the court? Explaining NSFW object's increased presence at recent games
The incidents, both of which took place during Valkyries' road games, have drawn condemnation around the league. Fever forward Sophie Cunningham expressed injury concerns over the gesture on social media.
Meanwhile, Sky center Elizabeth Williams took umbrage with the "immature" act, labeling it as "super disrespectful."
'Whoever is doing it just needs to grow up," Williams said during a postgame press conference after Chicago fell to Golden State, 73-66 on Aug. 1. A green dildo was thrown onto the court partway through the third quarter of that game.
Here's what you need to know about the unsavory tradition that has proven increasingly common in recent games.
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Why are WNBA 'fans' throwing green sex toys on courts?
It's unclear why people are throwing dildos onto the floor at WNBA games. The first incident took place at the end of the Valkyries' clash with the Dream in Atlanta on July 29. An unknown figure hurled a neon green dildo toward the basket with less than a minute left. Television cameras picked up the moment and its aftermath as a laughing security guard whisked the object away with a towel.
The incident in Atlanta came at a major inflection point in the clash. Golden State and Atlanta were locked into a one-point game at the time. The object nearly collected a Valkyries player in the carnage, said Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes postgame.
The Aug. 1 occurrence in Chicago brought about more forceful denunciations. Referee Blanca Burns quickly stepped on the sex toy before a Sky staffer removed it.
MORE: How Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman became WNBA All-Star streaming sensation
It's unclear whether the two incidents are related. They took place in different cities, which could suggest the gesture is appealing to copycats.
The WNBA is perhaps the most LGBTQ+-friendly league in American sports. The motion could be seen as a joke, but as Williams said, it comes off as immature at best and cruel at worst. Not to mention the fact that the objects in question are small and slippery, meaning if a player were to land on it wrong, it could have disastrous effects on their health.
Athletes across the world have been pelted by objects. Never has it been a cool thing. The same is true in this situation. Perhaps people can begin to behave like adults and remember they're at games to watch the world's best shine beneath glimmering lights.
For some, that's easier said than done.
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