Chaos at WNBA Games
During the first half of a game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night, a neon green sex toy was thrown from the stands, landing near Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham at Crypto.com Arena. This unusual act coincided with an audio livestream on the platform X, where several individuals celebrated the event as a potential boost for a newly launched cryptocurrency, termed a memecoin.
The Memecoin Connection
Launched on July 28, a day before the first sex toy incident at a WNBA game, this memecoin has seen its value nearly triple in a week. “Someone is tweeting that there’s one at the Sparks game,” noted one livestream participant, to which another responded enthusiastically: “That is literally the best case scenario that we could possibly imagine.” This response was not unexpected, given that Cunningham had previously asked fans not to throw items onto the court, which had only led to a series of memes featuring the toy.
A Coordinated Effort?
The incidents appearing at various WNBA venues seem to stem from a coordinated effort within a niche segment of internet culture linked to cryptocurrency. Users involved often remain anonymous, particularly in public interactions, contributing to the pervasive anonymity of these actions. Memecoins like Dogecoin have turned simple memes into revenue-generating assets, leading communities to devise creative ways to gain attention.
Community Reactions
One member of the livestream referred to the reactions surrounding these incidents as “next level.” He emphasized the importance of creativity in the cryptocurrency community, stating, “This is empowering to every f—ing crypto community to start thinking outside the box.” Such incidents have unfortunately offered opportunities for mockery directed at the WNBA and women’s sports, a fact not lost on some league players and coaches.
Concerns about Respect and Dignity
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve voiced her concerns about the sexualization of women in sports, asserting, “The sexualization of women is what’s used to hold women down, and this is no different.” This sentiment echoes among other players and staff, who stress the need for accountability for those instigating these acts.
Escalating Incidents
Since the initial incident on July 29, multiple sex toys have repeatedly appeared at WNBA games. A report from a New York Liberty game showed another toy being confiscated, and claims of similar disruptions arose during the Phoenix Mercury game that coincided with the Sparks’ match.
Legal Consequences
In response to the chaos, the WNBA has made it clear that anyone throwing objects on the court will face immediate ejection and potential legal charges. A league source acknowledged awareness of the Green Dildo Coin’s activities and its connection to these incidents.
Arrests Made
Recently, a 23-year-old man from Georgia was arrested for disorderly conduct after his involvement in one of the toy-throwing incidents. Another incident led to the arrest of 18-year-old Kaden Lopez at a Mercury game for throwing a sex toy that struck a spectator.
The Green Dildo Coin Community
The identity of those behind the Green Dildo Coin remains largely unknown, but its website was registered on July 19. Experts like Christian Grewell from New York University explain that while creating memecoins is inexpensive, they can rapidly produce significant profits. The community even operates an online store selling merchandise related to the toy and the memecoin.
Future Actions
According to Lt. Daldo Raine, the apparent head of the Green Dildo Coin community, while they anticipate a winding down of this type of disruption at WNBA games, they are committed to maintaining their playful antics. A recent livestream indicated discussions about future disruptions linked to sports.
Players Demand Safety
WNBA players and coaches have voiced strong opposition to these incidents, emphasizing their detriment to player safety. Following one event, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts expressed her frustration, calling the actions “ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s stupid.”
