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WNBA players protest pay gap at All-Star Game in Indianapolis
WNBA players protested pay gap at 2025 All-Star Game in Indianapolis, saying the league needs to pay players better.
An individual who threw a sex toy onto the court during the Golden State Valkyries’ 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, has been arrested, the WNBA confirmed to USA TODAY on Saturday.
The incident happened in the final minute of Tuesday’s contest as the Dream and Valkyries were tied at 75. The lime green object was thrown from the stands onto the court and landed near the top of the free throw line shortly after Atlanta’s Maya Caldwell blocked a 3-point attempt from Golden State’s Tiffany Hayes. Officials did not stop play as the object bounced toward the sidelines. A police officer later picked the item up using a towel.
Days later, another sex toy was thrown onto the court during Golden State’s 73-66 victory over the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Friday. The incident happened with 7:42 remaining in the third quarter as the Sky led 39-37. Officials immediately halted play after a green object landed out of bounds under the basket.
“The subject involved in the incident in Atlanta on Tuesday has been arrested,” the WNBA said in a statement to USA TODAY on Saturday.
A number of WNBA players have spoken out against the string of incidents. Sky center Elizabeth Williams said it’s “super disrespectful,” while Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said flying objects could “hurt one of us.”
“I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up,” Williams said following Friday’s game. New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison added, “ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
The WNBA said any spectator caught throwing anything on the court will be “immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban,” in addition to facing charges.
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league,” the WNBA said. “Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, 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.”
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