Sophie Cunningham sparked a fierce debate in the WNBA with her comments advocating against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
After Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve lent her support to transgender athletes, the WNBA world did not hold back in its criticism of her bold take.
WNBA World Rips Cheryl Reeve’s Bold Take Against Sophie Cunningham’s Stance on Trans Athletes
Reeve advocated her support for trans athletes on Saturday as she called for “inclusion” in women’s sports. However, her comments did not go down too well with the WNBA world as many criticized the Lynx head coach for not understanding the problem.
Conservative media personality Jon Root led the criticism as he labeled Reeve’s comments as “pure bullying and gaslighting.”
“One of the most insulting things Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve said was claiming the two young girls who sat courtside in Seattle don’t ‘understand what the real problems are.’ Ahnaleigh Wilson competed against biological boys, you buffoon! This is pure bullying & gaslighting,” he wrote on X.
One of the most insulting things Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve said was claiming the two young girls who sat courtside in Seattle don’t “understand what the real problems are”
Ahnaleigh Wilson competed against biological boys, you buffoon!
This is pure bullying & gaslighting. pic.twitter.com/hxsA4Mwflc
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 2, 2026
Another sports fan lamented how those with Reeve’s views represent the WNBA and the NBA.
“This is what represents the WNBA and NBA. Insane,” they wrote.
This is what represents the @WNBA and @nba. Insane. https://t.co/mRZbfTszT1
— North Remembers (@A11Josh) August 2, 2026
Another social media user claimed that Reeve’s comments showed that she had lost any little credibility she had left.
“Cheryl Reeves has lost what little credibility she had left,” they wrote.
Cheryl Reeves has lost what little credibility she had left. 😆 https://t.co/GtJkI75vgL
— P Granny (@PGranacher) August 2, 2026
One sports fan noted that Reeve’s opinions were synonymous with one of the biggest problems in the WNBA.
“This fool is just one of the problems with the WNBA,” they wrote.
This fool is just one of the problems with the WNBA https://t.co/VCOFwWyrmC
— Kathy Noga (@klnoga) August 2, 2026
A big rally was planned ahead of the Fever-Lynx game on Sunday as protesters attempted to make their voice heard against the issue of the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. The rallies began ahead of the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm earlier this week, and also continued in Portland.
The WNBA suspended Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton for five home games after she confronted two fans who had brought signs thanking Cunningham for her recent comments calling for trans athletes to be excluded from women’s sports.
With this controversy quickly becoming one of the biggest issues in the WNBA, it will be interesting to see what comes next.
