Sophie Cunningham has never been afraid to speak her mind, but her recent comments on trans athletes have ignited controversy.
What started as an attempt to clarify her position and political beliefs turned into one of the WNBA’s more heated storylines this week.
Sophie Cunningham’s Comment Causes Huge Uproar
The controversy stems from an exclusive interview Cunningham gave to ESPN’s Hallie Grossman, in which the Indiana Fever guard addressed accusations that she holds anti-trans views. While explaining her position on trans athletes in women’s sports, Cunningham made the controversial remark.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she says. “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,” Cunningham said.
The comments sparked major controversy on X, with some even calling for her to be suspended.
“@WNBA can’t claim to have ‘No Space for Hate’ and then suspend Sandy Brondelo for her comments but allow Sophie to be wildly transphobic in a ESPN article and skate away without consequences. The punishment must be equal,” one user wrote.
Sophie Cunningham has to be suspended today.
You @WNBA can’t claim to have “No Space for Hate” and then suspend Sandy Brondelo for her comments but allow Sophie to be wildly transphobic in a ESPN article and skate away without consequences. The punishment must be equal
— Fire Nick U’ren! (@YaGirlJiggy) July 22, 2026
Another user added, “The WNBA has to suspend Sophie Cunningham for these comments. You can’t claim to support trans people as a league and then have one of your players go rouge and say this.”
The WNBA has to suspend Sophie Cunningham for these comments. You can’t claim to support trans people as a league and then have one of your players go rouge and say this https://t.co/02vu9kgZPF
— AJ (@alecmets2011) July 22, 2026
Another fan pointed out that the NBA took action against the Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards when he said a homophobic slur in a social-media video, fining him $40,000.
“Even the NBA fined Anthony Edwards for that homophobic video he shared so if the WNBA really does absolutely nothing to Sophie for doubling down on transphobic rhetoric then they are weak,” they wrote.
“I think we should prosecute anybody advocating trans nonsense, since you’ve established that it’s OK to penalize people for saying things,” one user added.
Others argued that a suspension or fine for Cunningham could actually do more harm than good. “i agree with this but i fear a suspension will just make the anti-trans crowd go crazy and turn Sophie into a martyr and ultimately do far more harm than good,” one user wrote.
While some have called for Cunningham to be punished, many people have defended the Fever star’s comments. One user pointed out that Cunningham’s opinion should be allowed even if it is polarizing.
“Funny how ‘diversity & inclusion’ advocates never seem to want to include anyone with a diverse opinion,” wrote one account.
Funny how “diversity & inclusion” advocates never seem to want to include anyone with a diverse opinion. https://t.co/4bHhHjCQp3
— XX-XY Athletics (@xx_xyathletics) July 22, 2026
Another user called out the initial call for Cunningham’s suspension, writing, “I see youve locked down replies rather than engage in discourse about your accusation….shocker.”
I see youve locked down replies rather than engage in discourse about your accusation….shocker. 🙄 https://t.co/4g1VcQzZKd
— CarolinaConservative3 (@1776Carolina3) July 22, 2026
Cunningham has not issued any further statement since the backlash intensified. The Fever currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind only the Atlanta Dream with a 16-10 record.
She has remained one of the most visible personalities in the league this season, both for her play and her growing presence off the court. She has a popular podcast, a broadcasting gig with USA Network, and she even recently appeared as a UFC ring girl.
It remains to be seen whether the WNBA will take action against Cunningham for the comments as the discourse intensifies.
