Sophie Cunningham is no stranger to passion on the court, but lately, it’s not just the basketball intensity that has her fired up. During Friday’s WNBA showdown between the Valkyries and the Sky, the game took απ υπexpected turn in the third quarter when what appeared to be a lime-green sex toy was hurled onto the court from the stands.

The unsanctioned object forced a momentary pause in the action as officials scrambled to remove it from play. A referee quickly booted the item away to resume the game, but not before the shocking interruption sparked widespread reaction both in the arena and across social media.

Cunningham, a fierce competitor known for her intensity and leadership, wasted no time in voicing her anger. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she posted bluntly: “Stop throwing dildos on the court. You’re going to hurt one of us.”

It wasn’t the first time this bizarre disruption had occurred. Just three days prior, during the tightly contested game between the Dream and the Valkyries, a similar incident unfolded. With the game tied 75-75 and less than a minute remaining, a sex toy again made its way onto the court, landing near the free-throw line before bouncing off in an arc across the hardwood. The delay left players, officials, and broadcasters scrambling to maintain composure.

Play-by-play аππουncer Jacob Tobey was clearly taken aback but stayed professional. “Something flies on the court, I think there was something that flew from a fan on the court,” he narrated as the Valkyries maintained possession. His colleague, Morgan Ragan, added poignantly, “Even so, when you have a lime green item just kind of fly… that’s when the whistle should be blown because as a player you want to feel protected, you want to know what’s going оп.”

Eventually, a police officer retrieved the object using a towel, drawing a mix of boos and uneasy chuckles from the crowd. While some fans laughed off the moment, others expressed growing concern about the recurring incidents and their potential consequences.

Sky forward Angel Reese added her own commentary in a more humorous tone, tagging Fever guard Sydney Colson in a playful jab: “Hey @SydJColson, why do you keep throwing your mean green in different arenas? It’s getting weird.”

But Cunningham wasn’t having it. Her tone made clear the seriousness of her сопсегп. While light-hearted banter might play on social media, the reality of foreign objects flying onto the court is anything but amusing for players in the heat of a game.

“It might seem funny, but we’re out there focused, moving at full speed, and something like that could trip someone, cause an injury, or worse,” Cunningham later elaborated in a postgame interview. “There’s a line between being a passionate fan and endangering players.”

The WNBA has seen a surge in popularity recently, with increased viewership, bigger crowds, and greater media attention. But with growth comes new challenges in crowd control and fan behavior. Cunningham’s statement could spark a larger conversation about security protocols, аrеnа policies, and the expectations fans should uphold.

League officials have not yet released a formal statement regarding the incidents, but insiders say internal discussions are already underway. The possibility of bans or fines for offending fans is reportedly on the table.
Players around the league have begun quietly discussing the need for additional protections. While Cunningham has taken a public stance, sources indicate that other veterans share her concern and may soon lend their voices to the issue. For many, the recurring nature of the problem signals a trend that must be addressed swiftly.
“This is our workplace,” опе αποπγmους player said. “Can you imagine someone throwing something like that onto a baseball field or during an NFL game? It would be a huge deal. We deserve the same respect.”
The growing number of incidents also raises broader questions about how female athletes are perceived and treated by some spectators. The object in question, while jarring and inappropriate іn аnу context, carries especially uncomfortable implications in a women’s league.

“There’s an undertone to this that’s really disturbing,” said a sports sociologist contacted for comment. “It’s not just about fan behavior. It’s about the kind of object, the gender of the athletes, and the environment we allow.”
As the WNBA continues to rise in prominence, the league’s leadership may find itself at a crossroads: how to preserve the spirited, high-energy fan culture while enforcing a baseline of safety and respect.
For Cunningham, though, the solution is simpler.
“It’s not about killing the vibe or telling fans not to be loud or excited,” she said. “It’s just about keeping us safe. That’s not too much to ask.”
Her blunt message, “Stop throwing dildos on the court,” might seem crass to some. But in a moment where levity overshadowed safety, it was a necessary jolt back to reality. The WNBA may celebrate passion, but it demands respect.
And if Sophie Cunningham has her way, the message is clear: You can cheer. You can boo. But keep the toys at home.