Dildo pranks continue to disrupt WNBA games, drawing attention from athletics that criticize “mymony” and label men as “defensive women.”
The Women’s National Basketball Association is dealing with a series of pranks where fans have hurled green dildos onto the court during games.
So far, two individuals have been arrested. One of them, 18-year-old Kaden Lopez, threw a green dildo during a Phoenix Mercury game against the Connecticut Sun, spurred on by seeing similar antics online.
This incident is part of a troubling trend, as both dildos and other pranks have surfaced in various matches, including games featuring the Sky, Sparks, Dream, and New York Liberty.
Delbert Carver, 23, was another person arrested for disorderly conduct during an Atlanta Dream game.
While the WNBA may seem like it’s facing a unique situation, similar pranks have previously occurred in other leagues, such as an incident during a New England Patriots game in 2019.
Oddly, though, some sports commentators claim this phenomenon uniquely affects the WNBA, possibly due to a more negative perception of women in sports.
One commentator, Shannon Ryan, highlights that while leagues like MLB and MLS are thriving, WNBA games seem to be targeted in particular.
She suggests that while the WNBA has seen growth in popularity and fan engagement, the negative portrayal of female athletes remains a pressing issue.
Ryan elaborates on how women historically have faced sexual humiliation and attempts to undermine their status in sports.
Sports have long been a male-dominated realm, with women often discouraged, accused by so-called experts of being too fragile or emotional. Despite this, women are consistently proving those claims incorrect, yet their femininity is still questioned through their athletic abilities.
In the mid-20th century, some international sports authorities even required female athletes to validate their gender through degrading means, including “nude parades” or examinations.
Ryan cites the infamous remarks of tennis player Bobby Riggs in 1973, who infamously stated that “women belong in the bedroom and kitchen.”
She argues that the recent dildo incidents are part of a broader effort to “target” the WNBA’s athletes.
According to Ryan, these acts seem too calculated to dismiss as mere pranks. The notion that they could be random is questionable, especially given the league’s visibility with its distinctive players.
In her view, this trend reflects a deeper, more troubling attempt to undermine women’s status in sports.
This is especially puzzling, considering the latest perpetrator cited social media as the motivation for his actions.
