WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham sparks debate after speaking out on women’s sports

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham ignited a fresh round of debate this week after she addressed the fight over transgender athletes in women’s sports for the first time in a new ESPN feature.

Ms. Cunningham, who has become one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players alongside teammate Caitlin Clark, said she has been unfairly cast as anti-transgender for wanting fair competition preserved for female athletes. She told ESPN she has received backlash for supposedly “hating trans” people, which she denied, adding, “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men” in the locker room or on the court.

The comments quickly drew praise from Republican officials. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas responded with a two-word endorsement, “Well said.” Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Ms. Cunningham’s home state, wrote, “Missouri proud.” Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona called it “common sense,” while the U.S. Department of Education’s account cheered that “common sense prevails.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama went further, arguing that Title IX depends on keeping “no men in women’s sports, showers, or locker rooms.”

Prominent advocates for the “Save Women’s Sports” movement also weighed in. Former college swimmer and activist Riley Gaines urged people to “be a Sophie Cunningham” rather than following the example of soccer star Megan Rapinoe. Former Levi’s executive Jennifer Sey predicted Ms. Cunningham’s sponsors wouldn’t punish her for speaking out, calling her “a draw” for the league. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova amplified a post arguing that “boys are not women or girls.”

The reaction wasn’t universally positive. Some critics online branded Ms. Cunningham’s remarks “transphobic,” while others contrasted her stance with that of Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who has previously said she opposes bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports.

This isn’t the first time Ms. Cunningham has faced blowback over the issue. In March 2022, she re-shared a post from a CBS Sports host criticizing the participation of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas on the University of Pennsylvania women’s team, prompting enough backlash that she released a statement clarifying she supports “all races, religions, sexual preferences and gender equity.”

Ms. Cunningham’s remarks come weeks after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, reversing lower-court rulings that had blocked the states’ laws requiring student-athletes to compete based on biological sex and clearing the way for the laws’ enforcement. Ms. Gaines told Fox News Digital after that ruling that she hoped it would serve as a “clarion call” for elite female athletes, naming Ms. Cunningham, Ms. Clark and Serena Williams specifically, to speak out on the issue.