The Chicago Sky‘s game against the Golden State Valkyries was interrupted in the third quarter when several sex toys were thrown toward the court. At least three objects were thrown, and at least one landed on the court.
It is the second consecutive day a WNBA game has been disrupted by a spectator throwing a sex toy onto the court, as Thursday’s game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream was likewise delayed. The ION broadcast did not mention the incident on Friday, focusing on the Sky’s 73-70 victory, which ended in dramatic fashion with a Sydney Taylor game-winner.
The incidents mirror a string of disruptions from last season, when green sex toys were thrown onto WNBA courts at multiple arenas in connection with a cryptocurrency scheme. Last season, the objects were thrown on or at the court in six games between late July into early August. The trend died out soon afterward.
Advertisement
Players and coaches, initially shocked and surprised by the incidents, began to speak out about feeling disrespected by the continued vulgar disruption in their sport.
“The sexualization of women is what’s used to hold women down, and this is no different,” Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said at the time. “These people that are doing this should be held accountable. We’re not the butt of the joke, they’re the problem.”
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Chicago Sky, Golden State Valkyries, WNBA
2026 The Athletic Media Company
