A self-identified crypto enthusiast recently disclosed to ESPN that he is part of a group that coordinated a series of provocative stunts involving the throwing of sex toys during Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) games. These incidents, which occurred in at least three games over a span of just ten days, were designed to promote a newly created cryptocurrency. The individual, who requested anonymity, explained that the ongoing controversies surrounding the WNBA made the league an ideal target for their marketing efforts.
“It was more or less like an opportunistic approach to, you know, what is already trending,” he remarked during a Zoom conversation. “Where is there already controversy and how do we intercept some of that attention?” The man, using the pseudonym Lt. Daldo Raine—a reference to a character from the film Inglourious Basterds—remained off-camera and declined to share his identity or age.
According to the source, the group aims to revive the creative and community spirit within the cryptocurrency space. “We wanted to really make memes funny again,” he stated. On August 1, a spokesperson for the WNBA refrained from commenting on the group’s claims or potential changes to arena security protocols. This information was initially reported by USA Today.
The cryptocurrency in question began trading on July 28, just one day before the first sex toy was thrown during a WNBA game. This timeline has been corroborated by transaction records available on Dex Screener, a platform that tracks real-time cryptocurrency prices. Posts from the group’s Telegram community, which boasts over 1,000 members, indicate prior knowledge of the first incident at the Atlanta Dream game against the Golden State Valkyries on July 29. A member shared a link to the game’s live stream and expressed excitement about their planned stunt, making derogatory remarks about the league.
In the aftermath of the initial incident, two individuals were arrested in connection with the stunts. Delbert Carver, 23, from Marietta, Georgia, was apprehended on August 1 for allegedly throwing a sex toy during the Dream’s home game against the Mercury. While police records indicate that Carver confessed to throwing the first toy, the anonymous source contended that he was not affiliated with their group and declined to reveal the actual thrower’s identity.
Another incident occurred on August 1 during a Chicago Sky game, where a green sex toy was thrown onto the court. Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham voiced her concerns on X, urging fans to stop such actions. Following that, Kaden Lopez, an 18-year-old, was arrested at the PHX Arena during a Mercury-Connecticut Sun game after throwing a sex toy that struck two spectators, one of whom was a minor. He is currently facing misdemeanor charges.
As the group escalated their activities, they planned further disruptions at multiple venues. On the same night, video footage captured a sex toy being thrown during a game at Barclays Center, although it did not reach the court. The WNBA responded to these incidents by emphasizing the safety of players and fans, stating that any individual who throws an object onto the court would face immediate ejection and potential legal repercussions.
In a broader context, the cryptocurrency associated with these stunts has experienced a significant surge in value—reportedly increasing by approximately 300% in just one week. Additionally, Google Trends indicates a staggering 3,700% rise in search interest for “green dildo” since the initial incident. Betting markets have also emerged around these events, allowing users to wager on future toy tosses and the colors involved.
The anonymous source indicated the group is shifting its focus away from the WNBA, hinting at new plans involving Major League Baseball events. “We’ve got lots of funny things planned,” he teased, while emphasizing their intention to keep the actions entertaining without being overly disruptive.
