By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that two matches in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) have been interrupted after sex toys were thrown on to the court.
The Chicago Sky home game against Golden State Valkyries was interrupted in the third quarter, on 21 August 2026, when multiple sex toys were thrown from the stands.
Last season, there were similar incidents, between July and August, when six WNBA matches in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles were interrupted.
The same group that was responsible for last year's incidents has stated that it will continue to disrupt WNBA matches as a protest against the WNBA policy on transgender athletes.
The WNBA operates under a Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provides that "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA."
Currently, there are no transgender athletes competing in WNBA matches.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘