Despite scoring less than ten points per game during her WNBA career, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham managed to stay in the spotlight.
From her social media presence to her viral pointing moment to acting as a UFC ring attendant, attention follows her. On the court, the WNBA veteran operates as a role player, especially with Caitlin Clark operating as the team’s superstar.
WNBA Social Media Reacts to Sophie Cunningham’s Anti-Transgender Sentiments
Never one to shy away from a camera of microphone, the former Missouri product made fans with her approach. However, when discussing a hot-button issue, it elicits a fierce social media reaction.
Some laud Cunningham for her frank way of speaking, never mincing words. When discussing transgender athletes in women’s sports, Cunningham offered this quote.
“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.”
This statement roiled social media with many taking umbrage.
“Trans people are not a threat to women’s safety or wellbeing, the data proves that. you know who IS, though? the men in our government who have been held liable for SA. like our president” mentioned NBA writer Clair de Lune.
The tweet simultaneously called out Cunningham and drawing a parallel to the fact the President of the United States was found liable in a civil suit surrounding sexual assault, which appears to be a common theme of criticism directed at the Fever player.
“This is one of most repugnant things that’s ever come out of her mouth and it’s quite fascinating (not really) how she discusses protecting little girls in sports from transwomen (who are not a threat) but she’s got no smoke publicly for the MEN in power who are actual predators.” added sportscaster Chris Williamson.
Cunningham’s quotes reached outside basketball, pinging around the sports world, mentioning certain athletes convicted of crimes against women.
“Did anyone ask her how she’s protecting women carrying a card for a wife beater like dana white? or how being a poster girl for MMA protects women from rapists like Conor McGregor? Because 1200+ women are murdered by abusive husbands and dates EVERY YEAR, not 10 trans athletes, ” one user said.
However, as it the case with hot-button issues, two sides emerge, with Cunningham gaining support.
“Anybody who has a problem with Cunningham’s comments here isn’t s grown up. Saying trans women have biological advantages over women born women is nothing but 100% facts.” Another user tweeted. Cunningham touched off a sports issue that quickly morphed into a debate along political lines.
Anybody who has a problem with Cunningham’s comments here isn’t s grown up. Saying trans women have biological advantages over women born women is nothing but 100% facts
— The Realest Truth (@realesttruth1) July 23, 2026
“I like how the only argument the left is leveraging against this is ‘well there aren’t that many transgenders in women’s sports, so it’s not a big deal.’” wrote an X user. The responses to the guard’s original quotes keep flowing fast and furiously, with others supporting her.
I like how the only argument the left is leveraging against this is “well there aren’t that many transgenders in women’s sports so it’s not a big deal.”
Ok, then. At what number does it become a big deal?
The argument that men don’t belong in women’s sports isn’t invalidated…
— Armed Educator (@ArmedEducator) July 23, 2026
“The fact that she is even asked the question and has to defend her statement shows how off the rails things are,” stated another user.
Meanwhile, calls for Cunningham’s WNBA suspension for her statements continue to rage. How this affects not only public perception but also within WNBA locker rooms remains to be seen.
