Kaden Lopez, an 18-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, appeared in court today following a bizarre incident during last night’s WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks. Lopez is accused of disrupting the nationally televised game by throwing a green, adult novelty item onto the court during the third quarter at the Footprint Center, causing a brief halt in play and a flurry of online reactions.
According to court documents and statements from arena security, the object was thrown from the lower bowl seating section near midcourt, landing just outside the three-point line during active play. Officials quickly paused the game as players looked around in confusion. A Mercury staffer removed the object promptly, but the moment had already made its way onto social media, where clips of the incident circulated widely, sparking jokes, memes, and debates about arena security.
Lopez was identified and detained by security shortly after the object was thrown, with multiple fans in the surrounding area pointing him out to authorities. Police arrested him on charges of disorderly conduct and public indecency. In court this morning, Lopez appeared calm but avoided eye contact with the judge while his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Prosecutors described the act as “immature and dangerous,” noting that while the object didn’t physically harm anyone, it created an unnecessary disruption and could have escalated into a safety concern. “Throwing any object onto a playing surface is a serious offense,” the prosecutor stated. “This was not only disruptive but also disrespectful to the athletes and fans who came to enjoy the game.”
Lopez reportedly attended the game with a group of friends, some of whom were also questioned but not charged. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage to determine whether the act was premeditated or part of a prank intended to go viral.
The Phoenix Mercury organization released a brief statement earlier today, saying: “We take fan behavior and player safety seriously. We are cooperating with local authorities in the ongoing investigation and will continue to enforce a safe and respectful environment at all our events.”
Players from both teams declined to comment directly on the incident, though Mercury forward Sophie Cunningham posted a cryptic message on her Instagram story later that night, reading, “Y’all wild,” accompanied by a facepalm emoji.
Legal experts say Lopez could face a fine or even jail time depending on the outcome of the case. Disorderly conduct in Arizona is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. However, first-time offenders—especially those under 21—often receive reduced penalties or diversion programs.
The judge released Lopez on his own recognizance but imposed conditions barring him from attending any sporting events at the Footprint Center pending the outcome of the case. He is due back in court later this month for a pretrial hearing.
While the incident might be seen by some as a juvenile stunt, it has reignited discussions around fan behavior in professional sports venues. In recent years, leagues across the country—from the NBA to Major League Baseball—have grappled with an uptick in on-court and on-field disruptions by spectators
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