In one of the most bizarre and disturbing trends to hit professional sports in recent memory, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham was struck by a flying dildo during live gameplay this week, marking the third sex toy hurled onto a WNBA court in just one month.
The shocking moment, captured on video and instantly shared across social media platforms, sparked a storm of online commentary ranging from outrage to tasteless humor. The viral clip shows the object flying through the air before striking Cunningham, who looked stunned but uninjured.
A Disturbing Pattern of Disrespect
This dildo incident follows two others this week alone, part of an alarming string of public disturbances disrupting WNBA games.
Just days earlier, on August 2, Cunningham herself took to Twitter, warning fans after the second dildo incident, tweeting:
“stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.”
The league had already been reeling from an earlier dildo-throwing stunt that occurred during the fourth quarter of an Atlanta Dream game in College Park, Georgia. According to WNBA officials, that individual was arrested and permanently banned for at least one year.
A second incident occurred in Chicago, when a green dildo was thrown under the hoop during Golden State’s victory over the Sky. An official quickly kicked the sex toy aside before it was discreetly removed. Authorities have not confirmed if any arrest was made in that case.
Now, with this third occurrence, the first to make physical contact with a player, frustration among athletes, fans, and league officials is boiling over.
League Statement and Fallout
In response to the escalating antics, the WNBA issued a strongly worded statement:
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities.”
While that statement was meant to assure fans and players, some WNBA athletes are openly expressing dismay at the lack of sufficient security and consequences for repeat offenders.
Players Demand Real Action
Elizabeth Williams, center for the Chicago Sky, was blunt in her post-game comments:
“It’s super disrespectful. I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up.”
New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison went off on social media Friday, posting:
“ARENA SECURITY?! Hello?? Please do better. It’s not funny. Never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
Several WNBA players and fans now demand increased security measures, including stricter bag checks and better surveillance within the crowd.
While WNBA arenas already have policies in place such as no-bag or clear bag-only policies with size limits and mandatory searches upon entry, many feel enforcement has been inconsistent and too lenient.
Social Media Reacts: Split Between Outrage and Obscene Humor
As the clip of Cunningham being hit went viral, X (formerly Twitter) lit up with reactions, some supportive, others disturbingly unserious.
One user commented:
“This is sexual harassment.”
Another tweeted:
“This wasn’t funny the first time someone did it, it’s even less funny now. Let the girls play.”
But others treated the incident with shocking levity, drawing comparisons to past viral sports distractions. One tweet read:
“The green dildos are the new CZW airhorn.”
Another person posted:
“Never wished to be a green dildo so badly in my life.”
Even fans sympathetic to the WNBA’s struggles for attention found the moment bittersweet, with one user tweeting:
“This is getting out of hand.”
And another joked:
“I’m telling you this makes the WNBA must-watch TV.”
But behind the memes and madness lies a very real problem. Cunningham, one of the league’s most visible stars, has now become the unwitting poster child for a troubling trend that players argue undermines their safety and disrespects their craft.
A Crossroads for the League
With three incidents in under 30 days and now, direct contact made, the WNBA is facing a cultural tipping point. What began as a strange prank has morphed into a recurring act of assault by object, sparking legitimate concerns over player safety, arena security, and the maturity of certain fans.
The league must now decide: Will it continue issuing warnings? Or will more drastic measures be enforced to protect its players from being sexually harassed on live television?
Sophie Cunningham’s message couldn’t have been clearer:
“Stop throwing dildos on the court. You’re going to hurt one of us.”
And yet, someone still did.
Developing…
