Trans activists clash with Sophie Cunningham supporters at WNBA game
Former athlete Payton McNabb and columnist Dustin Grage slam Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for wearing a controversial transgender advocacy shirt during a game. McNabb argues that political displays overshadow female sports achievements. The discussion follows intense clashes between trans activists and supporters of WNBA star Sophie Cunningham outside a Minneapolis arena.
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 of a national media firestorm for weeks, after an ESPN article reported quotes in which she expressed support for the protection of women's sports. Cunningham claimed the interview for that piece happened earlier this year.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reacts to game action against the Portland Fire during the first half at Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on July 31, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
"I want to get back to basketball," Cunningham said. "I just want to make sure that the focus stays where it should because people are playing at such a high level."
Cunningham's public stance on the issue has prompted rallies at the Fever's last three games, with two more rallies scheduled for their game in Chicago against the Sky on Saturday, and their game in New York against the Liberty on Aug. 22. The rallies have thrust the entire WNBA into the national debate over the issue of trans athletes in women's sports, as four coaches have gone on record with statements about the issue since the rallies began.
At the Fever's most recent game against the Minnesota Lynx, Cunningham was seen having an intense conversation with Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was wearing a "trans kids belong" shirt.
"Yeah, she just came up and I respect her for coming up in person," Cunningham said Wednesday of the conversation. "I think a lot of people hide behind screens and love that type of thing.
Sophie Cunningham No. 8 of the Indiana Fever warms up before a game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 28, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
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"She had stories about her point of view and I had stories about my point of view and we left with love and respect and I think that’s what it’s all about."
Meanwhile, the Fever, currently navigating a crucial stretch of their 2026 campaign following a hard-fought 108-100 loss to the Lynx on Aug. 2, have largely attempted to shield their locker room from the national conversation.
Superstar Caitlin Clark faced a question about the rallies after the Lynx loss, and declined to reveal her stance on the issue.
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"I think, for us, it's not really a discussion we really have in our locker room," Clark answered. "I think it's for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions. Our focus is on basketball. That's what we talk about and how we can get wins, and, obviously, we didn't do that tonight. So we need to find an area to improve in that way."
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Clark then declined a related follow-up question, saying "I just answered for you."
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At the Fever's game against the Portland Fire on Friday, after head coach Stephanie White was asked about the issue in the pre-game news conference, Clark was not made available to reporters despite recording a triple-double. Then, when a reporter sent by OutKick attempted to ask a question about Cunningham to players who were available, Aliyah Boston and Makayla Timpson, both players fled the podium as the news conference was abruptly ended right there.
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Riley Gaines, Sophie Cunningham, and XX-XY Athletics founder Jen Sey pose courtside after an Indiana Fever game with a sign thanking Cunningham. (Riley Gaines/XX-XY Athletics)
The Fever now look ahead to a high-stakes matchup against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, before their weekend clash with the Sky, as another rally in support of Cunningham set to take place at that game.
