It all started with an ESPN article last month: “Love her or hate her, Sophie Cunningham won’t be ignored.” The feature story addressed Cunningham’s reputation as a sassy six-foot-one Indiana Fever guard, her legendary “point,” and rise to critical acclaim in the WNBA.
She’s been labeled a “MAGA Barbie” by many across the internet. Cunningham replied to the accusation: “I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs.”
What Cunningham said she openly supports is protecting women’s sports for women. She’s the first professional athlete in the WNBA to come out and say so.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham told ESPN. “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.”
Her comments were met with instant support from fans, the White House, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and many across conservative circles, lauding her for taking a stand. Days later, Cunningham’s Adidas “Crazy Energy” basketball shoes sold out immediately.
But her comments also sparked outrage. Reporters confronted Cunningham on her position and she responded, “I said what I said and I think it’s kinda common sense. I’ll always believe that.”
In the three weeks since the ESPN article, Cunningham has refused to back down from her beliefs. As she declines to bend the knee to a woke narrative, the backlash continues, and has sparked a trans-athlete debate within the WNBA.
For three straight games (with the Indiana Fever against Portland Fire, Seattle Storm, and Minnesota Lynx) there’s been rallies held outside stadiums both for and against Cunningham and trans athletes.
But inside the WNBA, some are choosing to speak against Sophie’s statements. Ironically, these coaches and athletes say they “want to be inclusive” and support biological men in women’s sports instead. A week after the article released, Seattle Storm center Stephanie Dolson, who identifies as bisexual, wore a T-shirt responding to Cunningham’s position: “trans rights are human rights.”
Fans of Cunningham at the Seattle game, including two teenage girls, were heckled, booed, and cussed out in the stands for showing their support. Cunningham praised the girls on X for “standing up for their beliefs,”
In response to the boos and jeers she receives during games, Cunningham said: “I’m here to play basketball, but I’m also here to be me. I’m not going to shadow that or hide or dim my light just because maybe people don’t agree with that.”
During the latest match on Sunday, Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, wore a shirt that said: “Trans kids belong.” To press, Reeve has called Cunningham’s views “problematic.”
“I come from a space of inclusion,” she said to media. “The narrative that I think is problematic is to suggest that transgender athletes are the biggest problem in women’s sports. This is what’s bothersome. There is a faction of people in our country that are making this a massive issue.”
Other WNBA coaches also blasted Cunningham.
“Sports [are] about inclusivity,” said Natalie Nakase, headcoach for Golden State Valkyries. “It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self. I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women. So I’m all about inclusivity.”
In the game between Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever, fans came with signs to support or side against Cunningham. However, fans and audience members including Riley Gaines, who held posters saying “Thank you, Sophie” were asked to remove their signs. Those speaking against Cunningham were allowed to keep them during the game.
There’ve been game calls made that seem to be unfairly attacking Cunningham as well. She took an elbow to the face from Lynx forward Nia Coffey during a play, yet the ref called the foul on Cunningham.
