The WNBA issued a statement Friday about the sex toys have been thrown in arenas and onto the court at games over the past two weeks.
“The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority,’ a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement. ‘We are working closely with local and federal law enforcement to pursue all appropriate actions — including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable — against anyone engaged in this conduct or otherwise involved in sponsoring this reckless and unacceptable behavior.”
Most of the toys thrown on the court have been green and a cryptocurrency meme coin creator took responsibility for the trend.
The group said they are planning more ‘pranks’ as a protest against the ‘toxic’ environment in the crypto world and they’re not meant to disrespect women athletes.
Seven known incidents of sex toys being thrown at WNBA games, with four reaching the court during live game action, have taken place since July 29. The latest incident came on Thursday night when the Chicago Sky played host to the Atlanta Dream. Two sex toys came down from the stands in the waning minutes. One made it to the court and play had to be stopped.
The first incident occurred on July 29, when the Golden State Valkyries were playing the Atlanta Dream at the Gateway Center Arena.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass. A second individual was also arrested for one of the incidents at a different WNBA game.
The Crypto group spokesperson stated that the two individuals arrested were not part of the group.
Terri Jackson, the executive director of the WNBAPA, also released a statement on behalf of the players’ union regarding the situation.
“Upon our request for an update, the league advised the players’ union that it was investigating claims that individuals were being incentivized to carry out these unsafe stunts,” Jackson said.