The WNBA has sent out a notice warning anyone who deliberately throws objects onto the court during league games could be arrested and banned from games for a year, after a sex toy was tossed toward players for the third time in a week.
The latest incident happened during an WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever on Tuesday. The object landed in the lane during the end of the second quarter near Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who had earlier posted online asking fans not to throw the toys onto the court.
Cunningham jumped back in surprise when the object hit the ground before the Sparks' Kelsey Plum kicked it away.
In a statement, the league said any object thrown onto the court or inside the arena could create a safety risk for players, fans and game officials.
"The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league," the statement read.
"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."
Cunningham had expressed concern on X that one of the players would get hurt if people continued to throw objects during games.
"I think it's ridiculous, it's dumb, it's stupid," Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said after her team won 100-91. "It's also dangerous and players' safety is No. 1. Respecting the game. All those things. I think it's really stupid."
Plum added that she thought both teams did a great job "playing on, don't give it any attention. The refs, too, I really appreciate them, too, [it] was just like, 'Hey, let's go.'"
The first incident occurred in Atlanta late in the fourth
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