When adult toys started flying onto WNBA courts midgame, fans assumed trolling. But the truth? A memecoin marketing stunt with a dash of misogyny. According to Clay Travis, the group behind the “Green D**do” plan targeted the WNBA because they believe it was “being forced down our throats.” That was, in their twisted view, “the funniest place to throw a green dildo.”
The incidents began July 29 in Atlanta and didn’t stop. Games in Chicago, LA, Phoenix, NYC, and Seattle all saw attempts to throw the lime-green toys. One nearly hit Sophie Cunningham.
A 23-year-old was arrested in Atlanta; an 18-year-old in Phoenix was arrested after hitting a minor. The WNBA responded with strict policies: ejections, year-long bans, and possible legal charges for offenders.
This spectacle isn’t just absurd—it’s disturbing. Critics see it as another symptom of online meme culture gone toxic. The Guardian warns that these stunts mirror a broader collapse in serious discourse and “gendered ridicule masquerading as humor.”
Still, the WNBA isn’t taking it lying down. Coaches like Lynne Roberts and Cheryl Reeve have condemned the behavior as “stupid,” “dangerous,” and rooted in decades of sexualized disrespect designed to undermine women’s sports.
Behind the craziness, there’s a crypto marketing tactic wrapped in meme-fueled trolling. The WNBA—rising in popularity and respect—is being attacked with optics, not substance. It’s time to treat these stunts with seriousness, not LOLs.
WNBA Stars and Coaches Push Back After Green Toy Disruptions
The WNBA community isn’t laughing at the green toy debacle—far from it. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve put it bluntly: “We’re not the butt of the joke—they’re the problem,” and doubled down on how degrading and dangerous the incidents are.([turn0news32])WNB A players and fans didn’t sign up for that.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham called out the absurdity directly after being struck mid-play: “Stop throwing dildos on the court. You’re going to hurt one of us.” It wasn’t a joke—she was calling for respect—and her words burned through social media.([turn0search0]) And Sparks coach Lynne Roberts had her own take: “It’s ridiculous. It’s dumb. It’s stupid. It’s also dangerous, and you know, player safety is No. 1, respecting the game, all those things. I think it’s really stupid.”
Some people are trying to mess with real games, and it’s getting old. The WNBA has never been more popular—more people are watching, more stars are emerging, and talks about fair pay are getting louder. Still, a few trolls think making fun of women’s sports is smart. It’s not. The WNBA is winning over fans, building its history, and proving it belongs.
Harder security checks, stricter bans, and tighter coordination with law enforcement are now in place. The WNBA is clear: your stunt ends in ejection, ban, or legal action. Safety and dignity aren’t negotiable.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
