Cryptocurrency Group Claims Responsibility for Disrupting WNBA Games with Sex Toy Incidents
League Officials, Coaches, and Players Condemn Orchestrated Campaign That Has Affected Multiple Games
A cryptocurrency group has come forward claiming responsibility for a series of disruptive incidents involving sex toys being thrown onto courts during Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) games over the past two weeks. The revelation has sparked widespread condemnation from coaches, players, and league officials who view the acts as sexualization and disrespect toward women's professional sports.
The group behind the incidents operates under the name "Green Dildo Coin" (DILDO), launching their meme coin on July 28 and beginning to infiltrate WNBA arenas the following day with neon green sex toys designed to resemble a rising "green candle" on trading charts. Over the past two weeks, there have been six known incidents of green sex toys being thrown at WNBA games.
Timeline of Incidents and Arrests
The first documented incident occurred on July 29, just one day after the cryptocurrency group launched their meme coin. The disruptions have continued across multiple venues, causing games to be temporarily halted and resulting in arrests.
Court records from one incident show that a perpetrator named Lopez removed a green sex toy from his sweatshirt pocket, threw it, and struck two spectators, including one minor. After throwing the object, he attempted to leave the building before being tackled by an arena volunteer who witnessed the incident.
The WNBA has implemented strict consequences for these actions. The league previously stated that anyone who throws objects on the court will face a one-year ban from games.
Crypto Group's Stated Motivations
The cryptocurrency group's spokesperson, who uses the pseudonym "Lt. Daldo Raine" on social media platform X (a reference to Brad Pitt's character in "Inglourious Basterds"), has provided explanations for their actions to various media outlets while keeping their identity concealed.
The spokesperson told USA Today that the stunt was not intended to harm anyone or disrespect the game, stating they "didn't do this because like we dislike women's sports." The group claimed they "knew that in order to get a voice in the space … we had to go out and do some viral stunts to save us from having to pay that influencer cabal, sacrifice our souls and the fate of the project."
The group has expanded their promotional activities beyond WNBA games. They reportedly placed one of their sex toys on the Wall Street Bull statue in New York as part of their broader marketing campaign for their cryptocurrency project.
Strong Condemnation from WNBA Leadership
The incidents have drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures within the WNBA community, with Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve emerging as one of the most vocal opponents of these disruptions.
Reeve views these incidents as part of a broader pattern of sexualizing female athletes, stating: "This has been going on for centuries, the sexualization of women, this is the latest version of that. It's not funny, and it should not be the butt of jokes."
Reeve has been particularly vocal about her disapproval of the incidents, telling reporters that the disruptions are not funny and signal a lack of respect for the players. She 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.
Reeve's credentials lend significant weight to her criticism. As head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, she has coached the team to four league championships and holds the highest winning percentage in WNBA history. She was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2011, 2016, 2020, and 2024, making her the first coach in league history to receive the honor four times.
Impact on Women's Professional Sports
The incidents have raised broader questions about respect for women's professional athletics and the challenges female athletes face in gaining recognition for their athletic achievements rather than becoming targets of sexualization.
Reeve has criticized media coverage of the incidents and called for different reporting approaches, arguing that treating these disruptions as humorous content contributes to a culture that fails to take women's sports seriously.
The timing of these incidents is particularly significant as the WNBA has been experiencing increased visibility and popularity. The league has seen growing attendance figures, television viewership, and social media engagement, making these disruptions especially frustrating for stakeholders who have worked to elevate the profile of women's basketball.
Security and Safety Concerns
Beyond the disrespectful nature of the incidents, they have raised legitimate safety concerns for players, officials, and spectators. The fact that at least one incident resulted in objects striking spectators, including a minor, highlights the potential for physical harm.
Arena security protocols are being reviewed and enhanced in response to these incidents. The repeated nature of the disruptions suggests a coordinated effort that requires heightened vigilance from venue security personnel and law enforcement.
League Response and Future Measures
The WNBA's response has been swift and decisive. The league's policy of implementing one-year bans for anyone throwing objects on the court demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the integrity and safety of their games.
However, the organized nature of these incidents, as revealed by the cryptocurrency group's admission, suggests that traditional security measures may need to be supplemented with additional strategies to prevent copycat incidents or further disruptions from the same group.
Broader Implications for Cryptocurrency Marketing
The incidents highlight concerning trends in cryptocurrency marketing, where some groups resort to disruptive or potentially harmful tactics to gain attention for their projects. The use of public sporting events as platforms for guerrilla marketing campaigns raises questions about the ethics and legality of such approaches.
The cryptocurrency industry has faced scrutiny over various marketing practices, and this incident adds another layer to concerns about how some projects attempt to generate buzz and attract investors through controversial means.
Media Coverage and Public Response
The incidents have generated significant media attention, which was likely part of the cryptocurrency group's strategy. However, the overwhelmingly negative response from the sports community and fans suggests that their tactics may have backfired in terms of creating positive associations with their project.
Other WNBA players have also spoken out against the incidents, with Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham among those calling out the behavior.
Historical Context of Disruptions in Women's Sports
These incidents are not occurring in isolation but are part of a longer history of women's sports facing unique challenges related to sexualization and lack of respect. The WNBA, since its founding in 1996, has worked to establish itself as a premier professional basketball league while combating various forms of discrimination and disrespect.
The league has made significant strides in recent years, with increased corporate sponsorship, improved television coverage, and growing fan bases. These disruptions represent a step backward in efforts to legitimize and respect women's professional athletics.
Looking Forward
As the WNBA continues its season, league officials, team management, and venue operators are likely implementing enhanced security measures to prevent future incidents. The legal consequences facing those already arrested may serve as a deterrent to others considering similar actions.
The cryptocurrency group's admission of responsibility may also lead to investigations into whether their actions constitute organized harassment or other criminal activities that could result in more serious charges beyond simple disruption of public events.
Conclusion
The revelation that a cryptocurrency group orchestrated these disruptive incidents has transformed what might have been viewed as isolated pranks into a concerning example of organized disrespect toward women's professional sports. The strong response from coaches like Cheryl Reeve and other WNBA figures demonstrates the league's commitment to maintaining dignity and respect for its athletes and fans.
As the investigation continues and legal proceedings move forward, these incidents serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women's professional sports in gaining the respect and recognition they deserve. The WNBA's firm response and the support from the broader sports community suggest that such disruptive tactics will not be tolerated or allowed to undermine the integrity of women's basketball.
The incidents also raise important questions about the responsibility of venues, security personnel, and law enforcement in protecting both athletes and spectators from organized disruption campaigns. As women's sports continue to grow in popularity and visibility, ensuring safe and respectful environments for competition becomes increasingly critical.
Moving forward, the focus should return to celebrating the athletic achievements and competitive excellence that make the WNBA an compelling sporting product, rather than allowing disruptive marketing stunts to overshadow the genuine accomplishments of these professional athletes.