The WNBA issued a warning stating that individuals who purposely throw objects onto the court during league games could face arrest and a one-year ban from attending games. This caution came after a sex toy was thrown towards players for the third time in a week.
The most recent incident occurred during a WNBA match between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever. The object landed on the court near Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who had earlier urged fans not to throw such items onto the playing area. Cunningham reacted in surprise as the object hit the ground, and Kelsey Plum of the Sparks promptly removed it.
The league emphasized that throwing any object onto the court or inside the arena poses a safety risk to players, fans, and officials. The WNBA stated that fans who intentionally throw objects will be immediately ejected, face a minimum one-year ban, and could also be subject to arrest and prosecution.
Sophie Cunningham expressed concerns that players could be harmed if such incidents continued. Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts condemned the behavior, emphasizing the importance of player safety and respect for the game.
The first instance of object-throwing occurred during a game in Atlanta, leading to the arrest of the fan responsible. Another incident took place in Chicago during a game between Golden State and the Sky. An official removed the object from the court, but it is unclear if the fan was arrested in this case.
Savanna Hamilton, a sports commentator, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stressing that player safety in their workplace is paramount. She noted that the WNBA has worked hard to gain respect and should not be mocked or endangered by such actions.
Additional reports indicated that similar incidents occurred in Phoenix and New York, with objects being thrown but not reaching the court. One object landed near a child at the Barclays Center.
The repeated instances of object-throwing have raised concerns about player safety and the need for respect within the league.