Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve delivered a forceful rebuke on Thursday night. She did so following an incident where fans threw a suggestive object onto the court during a WNBA game. She called it a “latest version” of the sexualization of women in sports and society at large. This incident is another example of the entrenched issue affecting women in sports. It emphasizes the need for change.
Reeve, a four-time WNBA championship coach and a leading voice in women’s basketball, addressed reporters in a post-game press conference. She showed visible frustration about how sports often contribute to the systemic sexualization of women.
“Throwing things onto the court. Obviously, you guys know what the object is,” she began. “And I just want to comment on—this has been going on for centuries. The sexualization of women in the world of sports. This is the latest version of that, and it’s not funny.”
The object in question was widely reported on social media but not officially identified by the team. It appeared to be a sex toy. The item landed near players during active play, prompting momentary confusion and concern. No one was harmed, but the moment reignited broader conversations. These conversations focus on how female athletes and sports are entangled with societal issues like sexualization.
Reeve was unequivocal in framing the act not as a harmless prank but as a symptom of something more systemic. It represents the problem of sexualization, deeply rooted in the culture of sports.
“It should not be the butt of jokes on any radio shows, or in the big prints, or in any comments,” she said. “The sexualization of women is what’s used to hold women down. This issue of women in sports is at its core no different.”
While WNBA players have fought for greater visibility and respect on and off the court, many in the league say that visibility has too often come with objectification and double standards. From commentary on uniforms to how female athletes are covered in the media, critics argue that women’s sports continue to be filtered through gendered expectations. This is exacerbated by the sexualization of women.
“This manifestation is just its latest form,” Reeve said. “And we should write about it in that way. These people that are doing this should be held accountable. We’re not the butt of the joke. They’re the problem.”
The Lynx have not released a formal statement on whether the fan responsible for the incident was identified or removed. However, league officials are reportedly reviewing security footage. Their aim is to ensure such acts do not perpetuate the sexualization issue of women in sports.
Reeve’s comments come at a moment of cultural reckoning across sports. The WNBA, in particular, has been navigating an era of unprecedented growth. TV ratings are up, attendance is surging, and new investment is flowing into women’s sports at historic levels. But the league’s leaders say that cultural respect must keep pace with economic momentum. They challenge the ongoing sexualization surrounding women in sports.
“Respect for the game means respect for the players—period,” Reeve added, in closing. “And if we can’t draw that line regarding the sexualization of women, then we’re not evolving at all.”
The WNBA has not issued a league-wide comment on the incident at time of publication.
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