Sophie Cunningham Breaks Silence About Viral Cheryl Reeve Exchange on Controversial Comments
Cunningham said the league’s attention should stay on a record-scoring season as Indiana leads the WNBA in points per game and offensive rating.
- Addressing reporters Wednesday, Sophie Cunningham described ongoing media attention regarding her transgender athlete comments as a "distraction," calling for focus on the WNBA's high level of play.
- The controversy stems from a July ESPN feature where Cunningham discussed her desire to "protect women's sports," a phrase often used supporting restrictive legislation barring transgender participation.
- Activists staged demonstrations at Fever stops in Seattle, Portland, and Minnesota, where crowds booed Cunningham. Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson wore a "trans rights are human rights" T-shirt during a July 28 game.
- Fever coach Stephanie White, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, and Golden State coach Natalie Nakase recently shared opinions favoring inclusive policies, while Indiana has won five straight games with a 115.6 offensive rating.
- Supporters announced rallies for Chicago on Saturday and New York on Aug. 22, while some fans call for the WNBA to consider Julie Tetart, a 6-foot-3 France-based player identifying as transgender.
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'It just makes me sad': Sophie Cunningham sounds off on state of WNBA after trans comments
Aug 2, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts to play during a stop in the action against the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesIndiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked a controversy with her comments on transgender athlete participation in women’s sports in a July 21 profile published by ESPN. “I got a lot of negative feedback about…
Riley Gaines RIPS WNBA after she was made to put away pro-Cunningham sign #foxnews #news #shorts
OutKick host Riley Gaines hit back at the WNBA after security made her put away her sign supporting Sophie Cunningham. #fox #foxnews #media #breakingnews #us #usa #new #news #breaking #outkick #rileygaines #sophiecunningham #wnba #sports #basketball #women #fairness #competition #fans #controversy #athletes #sportsnews #equality #freeexpression #security #support Don’t just watch Fox News—be part of it. Become...
Sophie Cunningham Breaks Silence About Viral Cheryl Reeve Exchange on Controversial Comments
For the past two weeks, the Indiana Fever have remained firmly in the spotlight, but not because of their basketball. Despite Stephanie White being named Coach of the Month and Caitlin Clark earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors, much of the attention has centered on Sophie Cunningham’s comments about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. The debate sparked organized rallies at every Fever road game, eventually leadin…
Sophie Cunningham calls out WNBA media for non-basketball focus, and talks viral Cheryl Reeve conversation
Sophie Cunningham said of the WNBA media "all we ever do is cover everything except basketball," while speaking to reporters on Wednesday."The WNBA media, all we ever do is cover everything except basketball," Cunningham said. "You can talk about other things, those are great stories, it shows fans who people (are) outside of the court, but I think we gotta keep the main thing the main thing."Cunningham's comments come after being at the center …
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