Sex Toys Thrown on Court Interrupt WNBA Games in Chicago and LA

WNBA games in Chicago and Los Angeles were recently disrupted by spectators throwing sex toys onto the court, marking a continuation of a troubling trend observed in the league. On a Friday night in August 2026, the Chicago Sky's home game against the Golden State Valkyries was temporarily halted as multiple items were tossed onto the playing area. This incident followed a similar disruption the previous evening in Los Angeles, where a sex toy landed on the court during a game between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks, leading to the detention and citation of a male suspect.

These recent events echo numerous disruptions that plagued the WNBA throughout its 2025 season, with similar incidents occurring in various cities including Atlanta, New York, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The league had previously condemned such actions, emphasizing player safety and implementing strict penalties, including immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban from all WNBA and NBA events, and potential legal prosecution for those who throw objects onto the court.

Players have voiced their strong disapproval of these interruptions, with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud calling the perpetrators "extremely weak" and stating the actions reflect negatively on their view of women. Sky center Elizabeth Williams described the incidents as "super disrespectful" and "immature," while other players have highlighted the safety risks involved. A group claiming responsibility for the 2026 incidents stated their actions were a protest against the WNBA's policy on transgender players.