WNBA fan disruptions spark debate over respect for women's sports

WNBA games have been disrupted by fans throwing sex toys onto the court during matches involving teams such as the Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries, New York Liberty, Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury, and Connecticut Sun. Initially dismissed as pranks, these incidents have escalated, with law enforcement becoming involved in cities like Phoenix and New York. A cryptocurrency group has even claimed responsibility, framing the actions as marketing for a new coin, highlighting the troubling trend of undermining the growing popularity of women’s sports [1].

The league has seen a surge in viewership and commercial success over the past year, but this rise has also attracted fans who engage in behavior that is racially and culturally offensive. For players, this has been a challenging shift from a previously more supportive fanbase. These disruptions represent a physical and symbolic regression, undermining the progress women’s sports have made in gaining respect and visibility [1].

Sue Bird, a longtime WNBA star, previously discussed the league’s struggle with the “cool factor,” explaining how women’s sports have often been mocked in mainstream media and popular culture. “I knew it wasn’t true,” Bird said last year, pointing to the league’s financial and cultural achievements as proof of its value. The recent incidents, however, threaten to relegate women’s sports back to the realm of jokes [1].

The viral nature of women’s sports has further amplified the issue, as fans and media increasingly recognize the seriousness of these disruptions. The WNBA’s players and fans now have a robust media ecosystem and loyal following that can drown out detractors. These stunts, as writer Frankie de la Cretaz noted, are about asserting cultural power—who gets to define the narrative and who remains the punchline. The growing presence of women’s sports in mainstream culture is a shift that cannot be undone [1].

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[1] title: The inappropriate behavior of some fans at WNBA games isn’t a joke—and women’s sports won’t be a punchline anymore

url: https://fortune.com/2025/08/12/wnba-sex-toys-thrown-on-court-womens-sports-joke-respect/