Full Breakdown
Sex-Toy Tosses Disrupt Two WNBA Games, Prompting Player Outrage and League Action
8/23/2026, 8:18:01 AM
Core Event
On Friday, August 21, 2026, the Chicago Sky’s 73-70 win over the Golden State Valkyries at Wintrust Arena was halted in the third quarter when multiple green sex toys were thrown onto the court. Arena staff removed the objects while players remained on the floor. A similar interruption occurred during the August 20 game between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena, where a toy landed near Sparks guard Jihyun Park and play was stopped.
Background & Context
The phenomenon first emerged in July 2025, when a series of sex-toy tosses across six WNBA games were linked to a cryptocurrency-promoted meme coin, Green Dildo Coin. The group behind the coin claimed responsibility again in 2026, saying the actions were meant to protest the league’s lack of a defined policy on transgender athletes. Recent comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham have intensified debate over eligibility rules.
Data & Statistics
- 2025 season: six incidents over two weeks, each involving a green adult toy.
- 2026 incidents (so far): at least three toys in Chicago and one in Atlanta.
- Arrests linked to prior incidents include Delbert Carver, Kaden Lopez and Charles Burgess.
- WNBA policy (as of 2025) mandates a minimum one-year ban and possible prosecution for spectators caught throwing objects onto the court.
Criticism & Opposition
- Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham posted, “Stop throwing dildos on the court,” emphasizing player safety.
- Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez criticized the interruptions, saying the league should not “partake in the circus” that distracts from the sport.
On-the-Ground Reports
- In Chicago, players stayed on the hardwood while staff cleared the toys; the Sky secured the win after a late three-pointer by Sydney Taylor.
- In Los Angeles, Sparks guard Jihyun Park was preparing a free throw when the toy landed nearby; Dream forward Angel Reese pointed toward the perpetrator, and Sparks center Cameron Brink kicked the object off the court.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Some outlets attribute the 2026 incidents to the same crypto group that staged the 2025 stunts; others describe the group’s current motive as a protest against the WNBA’s transgender-policy debate. The league has not confirmed the group’s involvement.
- While the Chicago perpetrator has not been identified publicly, the Atlanta suspect was reportedly arrested, but the league has not disclosed the identity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Stop throwing dildos on the court,” — Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever forward
- “I’m not partaking in the circus and everything that takes away from our team, the league. This (expletive) is not happening in the NFL, MLB, NBA.” — Jose Fernandez, Dallas Wings coach
What’s Next
The WNBA will continue to enforce its fan code of conduct, with lifetime bans possible for repeat offenders. The cryptocurrency group says it will persist with protests until the league issues a formal definition of “woman” in its eligibility rules. No further scheduled games have been identified as targets.
