From Pranks to Problems: Cunningham Warns Fans After Object Thrown On Court Again

The WNBA is facing renewed scrutiny over fan conduct after a disturbing and inappropriate trend escalated once again this week. During a recent game, Phoenix Mercury forward Sophie Cunningham narrowly avoided being struck by a sex toy thrown from the stands — marking the fourth such incident this season in the league.

Cunningham, visibly shaken and frustrated, spoke out strongly after the game, warning fans that this behavior has crossed the line from tasteless antics to dangerous misconduct. Her message was direct: “You’re going to hurt one of us.”

The incident has reignited conversations about player safety, arena security, and respect for women athletes, as the WNBA continues its surge in popularity and visibility.

The Incident: Not Just a Prank

The event occurred in the final quarter of the Mercury’s road game, when a pink rubber object — identified as a sex toy — landed just feet from Cunningham as she moved along the baseline. The game was briefly paused as officials and staff removed the item from the court.

Although Cunningham wasn’t hit, her reaction was immediate. She glared toward the crowd and later addressed the issue in the post-game press conference.

“This isn’t funny. We’re here working our tails off, putting on a show, and we deserve to be treated like professionals — like human beings.”

This is now the fourth time this season a sex toy has been hurled onto a WNBA court. The previous three incidents occurred during games involving the Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces, and New York Liberty, though none had previously come so close to causing physical harm.

Players Speak Out: ‘It’s Not a Joke Anymore’

Sophie Cunningham is known for her tenacity, hustle, and vocal leadership both on and off the court. Following this latest incident, she joined other WNBA stars in calling for immediate changes to how fans are monitored in arenas.

“It’s not about being soft or not having a sense of humor,” Cunningham said. “It’s about basic safety and decency. If a bottle or even one of these stupid things hits someone’s face or foot, that’s an injury waiting to happen.”

Fellow players, including Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, and Arike Ogunbowale, took to social media to express solidarity and frustration.

• “I love our fans, but what’s going on lately? It’s embarrassing,” tweeted Plum.

• “This is a league of elite athletes, not a circus,” posted Stewart.

A Pattern Emerging: Fans Testing Boundaries

As the WNBA grows in national and global attention, game attendance has seen a sharp increase. Cities like New York, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are reporting near or full capacity crowds. While that energy has elevated the league’s excitement, it’s also brought a rise in fan antics — not all of them welcome.

What began as isolated stunts now appears to be an emerging trend fueled by social media virality, with some attendees attempting to replicate or top previous antics. Videos of these objects being thrown have circulated widely online, often with laughing emojis and edited soundtracks, portraying the incidents as humorous rather than harmful.

League insiders, however, say the tone inside the WNBA is changing.

“This is our workplace,” said one veteran player anonymously. “Imagine someone throwing a sex toy onto your office desk while you’re presenting to your boss. That’s how messed up this is.”

Security Concerns and Policy Gaps

After the first couple of incidents, WNBA teams had reportedly increased bag checks and added signage reminding fans of appropriate conduct. Still, enforcement has proven inconsistent across different arenas.

Sources close to the league now say that a zero-tolerance policy is being considered for items thrown on the court, with possible bans for life for violators. The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) is also expected to formally raise the issue in discussions with the league office.

Sophie Cunningham made her position clear:

“We need more than a warning label or a tweet saying ‘don’t do that.’ There have to be consequences.”

Arena security teams across the league have reportedly been instructed to track video footage of any thrown objects, and in some cases, local law enforcement is getting involved.

Fan Reactions: Divided, But Leaning Supportive

Online reactions to the Cunningham incident have been mixed but mostly supportive of the players.

• “Throwing anything onto the court is never okay. What if a player trips?” one user commented on X.

• “People wouldn’t dare pull this stunt in an NBA game — and that tells you everything about the disrespect WNBA players deal with,” another wrote.

However, some users continued to downplay the event, calling it an “overreaction” or “a joke that went too far.” This attitude is what many players are pushing back against — the idea that female athletes are fair game for stunts that wouldn't be tolerated elsewhere.

The League’s Response: A Tipping Point

The WNBA has issued a brief statement condemning the incident and affirming its commitment to player safety. A spokesperson said:

“We are aware of the object thrown during the Phoenix Mercury game and are investigating. The WNBA does not tolerate any behavior that puts our athletes at risk.”

Still, critics argue that more proactive steps must be taken — not just responses after the fact. Suggestions include:

• Increased security presence near courtside seats

• Permanent bans for fans caught throwing objects

• Public education campaigns about player respect

Cultural Undercurrents: Sexism in Sport

At the heart of the issue is a deeper concern many WNBA players and advocates have raised for years: systemic disrespect toward women in professional sports.

“No one would throw a dildo at LeBron or Steph. It wouldn’t even cross their minds,” said one fan in an online forum. “That tells you what people think they can get away with here.”

Sophie Cunningham echoed similar thoughts, stating that the incident reflects a lingering perception that WNBA games are somehow “less serious” — a stereotype the league and its players have spent years dismantling.

 Enough Is Enough

Sophie Cunningham’s message was loud and clear: what some fans may see as a joke is, in reality, a dangerous and degrading act that has no place in professional sports.

With the league investigating, security tightening, and players united in frustration, it’s likely that this latest incident will mark a turning point in how fan behavior is monitored — and punished — moving forward.

For now, players like Cunningham are still showing up, playing hard, and demanding the respect they deserve — both on and off the court.