A self-proclaimed cryptocurrency enthusiast says his group is behind a string of sex toy tosses that have disrupted at least three WNBA games in the past 10 days. Speaking anonymously to ESPN, the man claimed the stunts were designed to promote a newly launched cryptocurrency created by his online community. He said they targeted the WNBA because it was already in the headlines.
“It was more or less like an opportunistic approach to, you know, what is already trending,” he said. “Where is there already controversy, and how do we intercept some of that attention?”
The group, active on Telegram with over 1,000 members, shared inside knowledge before the first toss at the Atlanta Dream’s July 29th game. Posts included a meme of a green sex toy captioned, “Dildo warrior practicing his throw!” The coin began trading the day before.
Since then, incidents have occurred in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Phoenix. Two arrests have been made: Delbert Carver, 23, in Georgia, and Kaden Lopez, 18, in Arizona. Carver allegedly admitted to two tosses, but the group denies his involvement. Lopez was celebrated in the group’s chat after hitting two spectators, including a minor.
Players and coaches have condemned the stunts. Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham wrote, “Stop throwing dildos on the court. You’re going to hurt one of us.” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called it “the latest version” of the sexualization of women.
The WNBA says anyone caught will be ejected, banned for a year, and possibly prosecuted.
Despite backlash, the coin’s value has spiked 300 percent, Google searches for “green dildo” have jumped 3,700 percent, and betting sites have taken wagers on future tosses. The group now claims it will target other sports, starting with a recent MLB game in Miami.
