The National Women’s Basketball Association condemned the “hate, abuse and demonization” of the transgender community in a statement Friday amid a public outcry over Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent stance against transgender participation in women’s sports.
In its statement, the union invited the fans report anyone who spreads hate speech at games. It did not mention Cunningham by name or weigh in on whether trans people should be able to compete freely, but stated broadly that the union exists to “protect women’s sport while creating transformational change.”
“Having, abusing and demonizing any group of people, including transgender people, only fuels fear, division and harm,” the statement said. “We will continue to have tough conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns. Support the players. Support the fans.”
Cunningham subsequently became a central figure in the matter ESPN quoted her in a July 21 story as she said she wanted to “protect young girls in the locker room” and that “they shouldn’t be against biological men.”
The matter gained further attention when Cunningham reiterated her position a day later.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said before the Fever’s July 22 win over the Connecticut Sun. “And I think I’ll always believe that.”
Although a Fever guard later said that she was “not a very political person” and that she “never said I hated the trans community,” her remarks sparked competing sets of critics and supporters outside of the Fever games. Later, she posed for a picture with Riley GainesFox News personality and former swimmer who has become the face of efforts to keep trans athletes out of women’s sports.
Some prominent WNBA figures took issue with Cunningham’s comments. Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined for interacting with two teenage girls at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle last week. The girls, who sat courtside during the game and held signs in support of Cunningham, said Keaton approached them, cursed and called them crazy during the game.
Cunningham was booed during the Fever’s game at the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, during which Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a T-shirt that read “Trans Kids Belong.”
Cunningham in turn criticized the reaction to her comments, calling it a nuisance and saying the WNBA needs to embrace the moment to prove it cares about diversity and inclusion.
I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYONE. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.
Well done to those girls for standing up for what they believe in. You will hear from… https://t.co/gIVWhEHi3Q
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 30, 2026
Vice President JD Vance also expressed support for Cunningham’s position, telling her to “move on.”
“You actually inspire a dozen people for every person who criticizes you,” Vance told Fox News this week. “And we can’t take our country back, we can’t save the United States of America unless you have brave people speaking their minds.”
As part of her comments, Cunningham highlighted the importance of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The 1972 policy is associated with increased participation in women’s and girls’ sports and is at the center of the debate about transgender sports.
“That’s why you have Title IX. That’s why you have some of the greats in women’s sports,” Cunningham said. “If Title IX and women’s sports weren’t protected, then you wouldn’t hear about any kind of women in sports. And so, I think going forward it’s just really important to protect.”
Transgender participation in sports has become a central issue in the culture war in recent years. The The US Supreme Court has upheld individual state bans about trans athletes competing alongside cisgender athletes on July 30, one year after President Donald Trump tried to block trans athletes from competition in women’s and women’s sports by executive order.
Cunningham is in her second season with the Fever, who acquired her from the Phoenix Mercury in a trade in February 2025. She re-signed with Indiana on a one-year deal in April. Cunningham is averaging 9.1 points per game and shooting 44.8 percent from three. The Fever next travel to Chicago to play the Sky on Saturday.
