The ADF has sent a legal notice to the WNBA amid the ongoing trans-athlete controversy. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s comments against trans athletes being allowed to compete in women’s sports sparked a national debate around the topic.
The letter from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has led to a wide range of reactions across the WNBA world.
WNBA World Reacts to ADF’s Scathing Letter On Sophie Cunningham Trans-Athlete Controversy
The WNBA has had two instances over the past month that the ADF legal team has deemed problematic regarding freedom of expression. One took place during the Storm-Fever game last month where two teenage girls were confronted by Storm minority owner, Celeste Keaton. She was fined and suspended for five home games for this interaction, while the Storm issued an apology.
Another instance took place last Sunday during Dream-Fever when State Farm Arena security asked a mother and a daughter to cover up their XX-XY Athletics shirts. The Dream have since apologized for this incident.
“Today, ADF attorneys sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, warning her that the league may expose themselves to legal liability by silencing fans’ viewpoints,” their statement read.
They referenced the aforementioned “two different situations” and noted, “These incidents send a resounding message to WNBA fans: if you know what it means to be a woman and support fairness in women’s sports, you are not welcome at WNBA games.”
They also called for action against what they believe to be a “blatant censorship of the truth.”
Today, ADF attorneys sent a letter to @WNBA commissioner @CathyEngelbert, warning her that the league may expose themselves to legal liability by silencing fans’ viewpoints.
In two different situations, fans at a game in Seattle were bullied by a co-owner of the team for their… pic.twitter.com/jxCTPBwXlC
— Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal) August 21, 2026
The WNBA world has since shared its thoughts on the legal notice.
XX-XY Athletics founder, Jennifer Sey, said, “Are all welcome at WNBA games Commissioner Engelbert, or no?”
“Love it,” wrote an Ohio State University alum.
Love it. https://t.co/hqrZNSNDEp
— BobbyDo2U (@bobbydo85) August 21, 2026
Another user simply wrote, “Cooked.”
Cooked. https://t.co/F9hyMxavBi
— Oyo Chick (@oyochickporvida) August 21, 2026
Kristen Waggoner, the President of ADF, quote-tweeted the post and wrote, “We’re putting the WNBA on notice: your one-way censorship of fans isn’t just foolish. It could be illegal. Fans who know what a woman is should be welcome in the stands.”
We’re putting the @WNBA on notice: your one-way censorship of fans isn’t just foolish. It could be illegal.
Fans who know what a woman is should be welcome in the stands. https://t.co/XY9Svjhn4h
— Kristen Waggoner (@KristenWaggoner) August 21, 2026
“Whoopsies. Sounds like the finger pointing won’t get you out of this one, WNBA,” said another user.
Freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as the government cannot take this right away.
Private entities, however, do have the legal right to censor any speech or message put across on their platforms, though this varies from state to state.
In their letter to the WNBA, ADF stated, “Censorship like this could also violate some state and local public accommodation laws,” citing Seattle’s ban on discrimination against political ideology.
The teams involved in the two instances apologized at the time. Though it’s up to Commissioner Engelbert and league officials to respond to this legal notice.
