If you follow the WNBA, you know things have been getting a little wild lately. Between the skyrocketing viewership and the intense new rivalries, the league is in a transformation era. But nobody—not even the veterans—expected "flying lime-green sex toys" to become a recurring plot point. Honestly, the whole Sophie Cunningham dildo tweet saga is one of those "you had to be there" internet moments that sounds like a fever dream until you see the footage.
It wasn't just a random post. It was a weird, messy collision of player safety, viral memes, and a league struggling to keep up with its own sudden fame.
The Tweet That Predicted the Future
It all started in July 2025. A fan threw a neon green sex toy onto the court during a game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. It was bizarre. The internet, being the internet, immediately turned it into a circus.
Sophie Cunningham, the Indiana Fever guard known for being the league's "enforcer" and never holding back her opinion, decided to weigh in. She hopped on X (formerly Twitter) and posted a pretty straightforward plea: "Stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us."
It was a sensible take. Objects on the court are a massive tripping hazard, especially for athletes moving at full speed. But because of the nature of the object, the post blew up. People were laughing. Some were confused. Most thought it was a one-off joke.
Then, things got weirdly personal.
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When the Meme Hits You (Literally)
Four days after she sent that tweet, the Indiana Fever were playing the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. During the second quarter, as Sophie was getting ready for an inbounds pass, a lime-green dildo came flying out of the stands.
It didn't just land near her. It actually hit her in the leg.
The game came to a screeching halt. Sparks star Kelsey Plum ended up kicking the object off the court while security scrambled. It was surreal. Sophie’s reaction afterward was pure gold. She took to her Instagram stories and quote-tweeted her original post with a caption that read: “This did NOT age well.”
Why Fans Are Doing This (and Why It Sucks)
Why on earth would anyone do this? According to police reports from an earlier arrest in Atlanta, a 23-year-old fan named Delbert Carver admitted he did it specifically to go viral. He wanted the meme.
But for players like Sophie, the humor is secondary to the risk. On an episode of her podcast, Show Me Something, she broke down what was actually going through her head. It wasn't just about an ankle sprain. She was worried about the "image" of the league.
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"If that thing even came from the rafters or bounced and slapped me in the face, that would be what I would be known for, for life. I was just trying to protect all of our images. And yeah, break a f***ing nose, what the hell?"
She’s got a point. The WNBA is finally getting the respect and the "serious" sports coverage it has fought for decades to earn. Having neon sex toys bouncing off players' faces isn't exactly the "professional" vibe the league is trying to cultivate.
The Fine, the "Refs," and the Enforcement
Sophie Cunningham has been a lightning rod for controversy all season. Before the dildo incident, she was already making headlines for her role as Caitlin Clark's unofficial bodyguard.
She actually got slapped with a $500 fine by the WNBA for a TikTok video where she used a Sabrina Carpenter song to poke fun at the referees. She felt the officiating wasn't protecting the league's stars—specifically Clark—and she wasn't shy about saying so.
This "enforcer" persona is why a lot of fans love her, but it’s also why she’s a target for trolls. Whether it’s her political views being debated on Reddit or her physical play on the court, Sophie stays in the conversation. The Sophie Cunningham dildo tweet was just the peak of a very loud year for her.
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What This Means for Arena Security
The WNBA didn't take the "dildo range" jokes lightly. They’ve since implemented a minimum one-year ban for any fan caught throwing objects on the court.
There's a real conversation happening now about how these items are getting past security. Sophie’s co-host, West Wilson, pointed out that since these objects are made of rubber or silicone, they don't trigger metal detectors. If someone hides one in their waistband or a baggy hoodie, they're basically invisible to standard tech.
Expect to see more "pat-downs" or more sensitive scanners in the future. It sounds extreme, but nobody wants to see a championship game decided because a player tripped on a "joke" thrown from the 300-level.
Stay Safe in the Stands (and on the Court)
If you're heading to a WNBA game, the best way to support the league is to keep your belongings in your seat. The "viral stunt" era of sports is fun until someone gets a broken nose or a torn ACL.
Next Steps for Fans and Follower:
- Report suspicious behavior: If you see someone prepping to throw something, let security know. It's not "snitching" if it prevents an injury.
- Support player podcasts: If you want the real story behind these viral moments, listen to players directly. Sophie's Show Me Something podcast is where she actually clears up the "lowkey joking" vs. "serious" parts of her tweets.
- Focus on the game: The WNBA is at an all-time high for talent. Let the highlights be about the three-pointers and the defense, not the garbage on the floor.
The "flying dildo" trend seems to have cooled off after the arrests and the bans, but it serves as a weird footnote in the most explosive season of women's basketball history. Sophie Cunningham survived it with her sense of humor intact, but she's definitely over the memes.