WNBA Faces Challenges Beyond Green Sex Toy Incidents

Last week, the WNBA faced a bizarre and disrespectful trend. Bright green sex toys landed on the court during games in Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Some players laughed at first, but the repeated incidents started to reveal deeper problems. There’s a long, ugly history of disrespect and misogyny in women’s sports, and this feels like a new chapter.

The Disrespectful Trend in WNBA Games

It all started in Atlanta. Players cracked jokes and shared memes on social media.

But things got less funny after a similar scene in Chicago. Sky center Elizabeth Williams called it super disrespectful.

The situation escalated in Los Angeles. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum just kicked the object off the court, clearly annoyed.

Immediate Reactions from Players

Players are struggling with how to deal with these weird, potentially dangerous moments. The laughter faded, replaced by frustration and anger.

Sophie Cunningham summed it up on her Show Me Something podcast: “Everyone’s trying to make sure the W is not a joke and it’s taken seriously, and then that happens.” Can you blame them for being upset?

The Growing Popularity of the WNBA

Over the past two seasons, the WNBA’s grown fast. Attendance is up, TV ratings are better, and there’s more money coming in.

Star players are finally part of the bigger sports conversation. Still, these incidents are an ugly reminder that respect and recognition aren’t guaranteed.

Comparisons to Other Sports Leagues

It’s odd that this is only happening at WNBA games. MLB, MLS, and even preseason NFL games are going on, but no one’s pulling this there.

Feels like someone’s trying to undermine the league and the athletes’ professionalism, right?

Historical Context of Misogyny in Sports

Disrespect toward WNBA players is nothing new. For centuries, sports were seen as a men-only thing.

Women got discouraged from playing, thanks to bogus medical advice and outdated social rules. Even when women proved themselves, they had to deal with all sorts of scrutiny and, honestly, humiliating “tests” of their femininity.

Notable Examples from History

• In the mid-20th century, female athletes had to get femininity certificates and go through invasive exams.
• Katherine Switzer got physically attacked while running the 1967 Boston Marathon—just for being there.
• Before losing to Billie Jean King in 1973, Bobby Riggs said, “women belong in the bedroom and kitchen, in that order.”

Challenges Faced by Women in Sports Journalism

Women covering sports haven’t had it easy, either. They’ve faced lewd gestures, unwanted advances, and flat-out vulgar comments from male athletes.

Lisa Olson was sexually harassed in the 1990 Patriots locker room. Susan Fornoff got intimidated while reporting on the Oakland A’s.

The Impact on Female Reporters

Many women in sports journalism have dealt with demeaning treatment meant to push them out. This isn’t rare—it’s a pattern that still affects women in the field.

The Strategic Targeting of the WNBA

It’s tough to see the targeting of the WNBA as anything but intentional. The use of sex toys, especially in a league with many openly gay and queer players, seems meant to humiliate.

The WNBA, even with its world-class athletes, keeps getting dragged into bad-faith debates about gender, race, and sexuality.

Subtle and Overt Misogyny

Misogyny in women’s sports usually hides beneath the surface. But these recent WNBA incidents are just blatant.