The WNBA still hasn’t put out any official statement on whether trans athletes would be allowed to compete in the league. Meanwhile, the pressure keeps building, and now a sitting U.S. senator has jumped into the conversation.
Senator Rick Scott Joins WNBA Criticism Amid Sophie Cunningham’s Trans-Athlete Debate
U.S. Senator Rick Scott took to X to weigh in on the incident during Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. He simply asked how the WNBA still seems unable to distinguish between women and men, and also praised Sophie Cunningham.
“First the WNBA can’t define what a woman is, now this? THANK YOU, Sophie Cunningham and all the incredible people standing for the truth: men don’t belong in women’s sports. I’m right there with you!” Scott wrote on X.
First the @WNBA can’t define what a woman is, now this?
THANK YOU @sophaller and all the incredible people standing for the truth: men don’t belong in women’s sports. I’m right there with you! https://t.co/NViDQ2rbn7
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 18, 2026
The incident Scott was referring to happened on Sunday. Georgia locals Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie had bought $1,000 seats just two rows behind courtside for the Fever-Dream game. Kasey wore an XX-XY Athletics shirt with the logo done in a stars-and-stripes design, while Annie wore a Riley Gaines collaboration shirt with “XX” on the front and “For the Girls” on the back.
Nothing happened for most of the game. Then, during overtime, a security guard approached them and reportedly asked them to step away from their seats. When Kasey asked if it was about their shirts, the guard reportedly said another fan had complained.
They were told to either wear Atlanta Dream “Wellness & Health Night” shirts provided by the arena or risk being removed. Kasey pushed back, but in the end, they put the shirts on so they wouldn’t miss the rest of overtime.
Republican Vernon Jones has also gotten involved, calling on the league to fire Commissioner Engelbert over how the situation has been handled.
“Commissioner Adam Silver of the NBA needs to stand up and be a man. Fix the @WNBA before it’s destroyed. Fire WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Then make it clear the women’s league is for women only…those born with XY chromosomes. Start testing; that will end the drama. No more; no less. Atlanta Dream,” Vernon wrote on X.
U.S. lawmakers had also sent a letter to Engelbert last month, calling for better treatment for Fever star Caitlin Clark and better protection for players against online abuse.
With lawmakers and fans continuing to weigh in, the pressure on the WNBA is unlikely to disappear.
