A series of incidents involving sex toys being thrown onto courts during Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) games has been linked to a cryptocurrency group promoting a meme coin called Green Dildo Coin. The coin was created the day before the first incident and has since nearly tripled in value within a week. The group behind the coin has admitted to orchestrating the disruptions as a coordinated marketing campaign to pump the coin's value. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incidents, which have occurred at six different WNBA games, including a recent game where two objects were thrown during the fourth quarter. The WNBA is working closely with local and federal law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable and has mandated the installation of safety nets at all 13 WNBA stadiums to prevent further occurrences. Despite these measures, concerns remain as players have noted that objects can still be thrown over the nets. The disruptions have raised safety concerns for athletes and sparked discussions about the impact of unregulated sports prediction markets, which have allowed fans to bet on whether sex toys will be thrown onto the court, potentially encouraging the behavior. The incidents have also drawn criticism for being sexist and homophobic, with some commentators highlighting the broader issue of abuse and harassment faced by WNBA players amid increased viewership and social media exposure. The league is considering additional measures, including potentially banning fans from games to prevent further disruptions.
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Since 2020, there have been at least 52 stalking incidents targeting athletes or coaches. Among the more prominent cases: ◽️ Caitlin Clark ◽️ Aaron Donald ◽️ Suni Lee The Athletic compiled information from the last five years ⤵️ https://t.co/bV8RPFyq5B https://t.co/gQ8lZLIPKS