A bizarre and decidedly crude string of incidents has eclipsed the action on the court in the WNBA this week and top figures in the league are calling out the disrespect they’re feeling as a result.
What began as a seemingly isolated incident of a fan throwing a sex toy onto the court during a game on July 29 has spawned a series of copycat incidents, drawing outrage from players, coaches and commentators alike. The reported story behind how it all began has opened a strange window into the Gen Z meme culture, the desire to “go viral”, the bro culture surrounding cryptocurrency and the continued sexism and misogyny that still surrounds women’s sports.
Two men, one 23-year-old, according to Reuters and another 18, per CNN affiliate KPNX, have been arrested over the alleged incidents and a group of cryptocurrency meme coin creators say they’re behind it. The charges associated with the acts include disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure, and criminal trespass.
The incidents have been the subject of jokes from some right-wing commentators, notably Donald Trump Jr., but those closest to the incidents don’t find them funny.
“This has been going on for centuries, the sexualization of women,” Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve told reporters on Thursday. “This is the latest version of that. And it’s not funny and it should not be the butt of jokes on radio shows, or in print or any comments.”
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