During Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham was struck by a projectile sex toy, an incident that occurred in the final minutes of the second quarter. The event, which took place as the Fever prepared to inbound the ball, has sparked significant concern within the WNBA and beyond. This is not an isolated incident; it marks the third time a green sex toy has been hurled onto a WNBA court in recent weeks, highlighting a growing trend that has alarmed players, officials, and fans alike.
Cunningham, who had been vocal about the issue just days prior, was particularly affected by the incident as it occurred on the same day she had expressed her worries about the potential consequences of such actions. On Tuesday’s episode of her podcast, she addressed the issue of objects being thrown onto courts, speculating on the fallout if a player were hit by one. ‘I just know how things go viral now,’ she remarked, ‘and I just know if that thing like even came from like the rafters or bows and just slap me right in the face, I could never, I could, that would be what I’d be known for life.’ Her comments underscore the severity of the situation, as well as the potential for such incidents to draw widespread attention and controversy.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the incident occurred just days after Cunningham had publicly urged fans to stop the dangerous practice. In a post on X, she had warned, ‘Stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.’ The irony of her own experience was not lost on her, leading her to reshare the post with the message, ‘This did not age well,’ highlighting the absurdity and danger of the situation. Her team, the Indiana Fever, faced the added disappointment of a loss, the first of many setbacks for the team in recent games.
The WNBA has responded swiftly to the incidents, with an arrest made in connection to the latest incident. A 23-year-old, Delbert Carver, was charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure, and criminal trespass for hurling a sex toy onto the court last week. Carver was booked into Clayton County jail in Georgia on Saturday, and his case remains pending, though he was released on bond late Sunday. The WNBA’s statement emphasized the league’s commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone in the arenas, warning that any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will face immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban, and possible legal action.
These incidents have sparked a broader conversation about fan behavior and the need for stricter enforcement of arena rules to prevent such dangerous actions. As the WN, the league continues to take a firm stance against the practice, ensuring that the safety of players, officials, and fans remains a top priority. The situation also serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of thoughtless actions, with Cunningham’s experience serving as a cautionary tale for fans and a call to action for greater responsibility in athletic events.