Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has faced significant backlash following her comments on transgender athletes in women’s sports. In a March interview with ESPN, Cunningham stated, “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

The resurfacing of her remarks has ignited a heated debate within the WNBA. Fans have taken sides, with some supporting Cunningham’s view and others advocating for transgender rights. This division has turned games into venues for protest, especially at events where Cunningham plays.

The WNBA has reportedly requested fans to cover shirts with messages like pro-XX-XY, while allowing those with slogans such as “Protect Trans Kids.” This policy has sparked widespread attention on social media. Fans are actively protesting, and WNBA owners and coaches have condemned Cunningham’s statements.

Teams are also responding. The New York Liberty, for example, used their jumbotron during a recent game to display supportive messages for transgender fans, such as “Hey trans fans! Glad you’re here! Go Liberty!” and “Welcome Trans Liberty fans! You are loved and you belong!”

The controversy has highlighted broader issues in the league regarding transgender athletes. The topic became even more contentious after two former NBA players, including Enes Kanter Freedom, announced their intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.

In response to the growing debate, team presidents met to revisit the WNBA’s eligibility criteria for transgender players. The current collective bargaining agreement specifies that only women can play in the WNBA; however, it lacks clarity on whether this refers exclusively to those whose birth sex is female.