WNBA players slam ‘disrespectful’ behaviour after sex toys are thrown onto the court
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries shoots the ball against Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky, in the second quarter on Aug 1.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- WNBA games were halted twice in four days due to sex toys being thrown onto the court, disrupting play and causing safety concerns.
- Players, including Chicago's Elizabeth Sky, condemned the acts as "super disrespectful" and immature, urging those responsible to "grow up".
- New York's Isabelle Harrison criticised arena security, demanding improvements to prevent dangerous objects being thrown onto the court.
AI generated
NEW YORK – Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players have called for improved stadium security after two games in four days were halted when sex toys were thrown onto the court.
An Aug 1 clash between the Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky was stopped briefly during the third quarter as officials removed a neon-green sex toy spotted near the basket.
It was the second Valkyries game to be disrupted this week for the same reason.
On July 29, the Valkyries’ game against the Atlanta Dream was stopped in the final minute after a sex toy was thrown onto the hardwood.
“It’s super disrespectful, I don’t really get the point of it,” Chicago’s Elizabeth Williams said after the latest incident on Aug 1.
“It’s really immature. Whoever’s doing it needs to grow up,” Williams added.
The New York Liberty’s Isabelle Harrison took to X to call for improved security after the Aug 1 incident.
She wrote: “ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. Never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
The league announced on Aug 2 via the San Francisco Chronicle that a person has been arrested over the incident.
The WNBA said in the statement: “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.
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans...
“The subject involved in the incident in Atlanta on Tuesday has been arrested.”
Meanwhile, a Boston-based group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has reached a deal with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and move the team to Boston, according to multiple reports on Aug 2.
The Sun, who have called Connecticut home since 2003, could relocate as early as 2027.
Pending approval from the WNBA, Pagliuca will reportedly shell out US$325 million (S$419 million) for the Sun, which would be the most ever paid for a women’s sports franchise.
His group will reportedly put down another US$100 million for the team to build a new practice facility in Boston.
Approval from the league could face some obstacles, as Boston has been eyed as a potential location for an expansion team.
The WNBA has the right to force the Mohegan Tribe to sell to a buyer in Connecticut, according to the Boston Globe.
The Celtics reportedly have no issues sharing the TD Garden with a WNBA team.
The Sun, who play at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, hold the league’s worst record at 5-21 this season after making the play-offs in the previous eight campaigns. AFP, REUTERS
