WNBA's Natasha Cloud calls sex toy throwers 'weak' and 'hateful'
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud criticized men who throw sex toys onto WNBA courts, calling them 'weak' and saying their actions reflect internal struggles. Several young men were arrested last season for similar incidents, and a cryptocurrency group has claimed responsibility, citing a protest against the league's transgender policy. Cloud said the hate is unwarranted.
Cloud made her remarks after arena staff cleared objects from the court during Friday's Chicago Sky victory over Golden State. A separate suspect was detained Thursday at an Atlanta Dream–Los Angeles Sparks matchup. The WNBA has stated that spectators who toss items onto the floor face at least a one-year ban plus potential criminal prosecution.
The trend first emerged last season, with arrests in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. One detainee described the act as a joke intended to go viral. A cryptocurrency investor group has again claimed responsibility, framing the stunts as protest against league policy on transgender participation. No transgender woman has ever appeared on a WNBA roster, though the debate intensified after Indiana's Sophie Cunningham voiced support for excluding transgender women from women's sports.
This incident may deepen existing cultural divides around transgender participation in women's athletics, potentially drawing more attention to the WNBA's position and policies. Players like Cloud could face increased scrutiny or harassment as the debate continues, while fans may feel the league's games are becoming venues for political statements. The cryptocurrency group's involvement may also raise questions about coordinated online influence campaigns targeting sports organizations, possibly affecting how leagues handle security and spectator conduct moving forward.