Sophie Cunningham fans have taken the WNBA by storm as they look to show their support for the Indiana Fever star in the wake of her stance against transgender athletes in women’s sports.
As Cunningham thanked her fans for their “courageous” support of the cause, the WNBA world was left divided.
WNBA World Reacts As Sophie Cunningham Thanks Fans for Supporting Her Cause
Fans have rallied outside arenas in the Fever’s last two games, both in support of and against Cunningham. The Fever guard sparked a national debate after coming out against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports last month, and thanked her fans for their support on Friday.
“I think it’s people just practicing their rights of freedom of speech and doing what other fans have been doing since the WNBA has started, and so props to them, props to everyone who was able to be confident and be bold and courageous enough to speak their truths,” Cunningham said.
The comments left the WNBA world divided as some jumped to Cunningham’s support while others hit out at the Missouri alum for causing division in the sport.
“Absolutely sickening of her to try to ground her anti-trans rhetoric in the history of inclusion in this league, which it is directly in conflict with. This is becoming a common right wing tactic, weaponizing progressive language against the marginalized. Calculated, disgusting,” wrote one fan.
Absolutely sickening of her to try to ground her anti-trans rhetoric in the history of inclusion in this league, which it is directly in conflict with.
This is becoming a common right wing tactic, weaponizing progressive language against the marginalized. Calculated, disgusting. https://t.co/X5Xu66yumq
— Dani Bar-Lavi (@dblfluidity) August 1, 2026
“She’s a hero,” wrote another in support of Cunningham.
She’s a hero!
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) August 1, 2026
Another sports fan praised Cunningham for standing firm in her belief and not backing down amid the increasing scrutiny she has received since her initial comments.
“Sophie isn’t getting enough credit for standing her ground imo. She could have taken the easy way out, like her coach did, but she’s been extremely responsible and articulate with her opinion. Fantastic work,” they wrote.
Sophie isn’t getting enough credit for standing her ground imo.
She could have taken the easy way out, like her coach did, but she’s been extremely responsible and articulate with her opinion.
Fantastic work.
— Johnny_Canadia (@Johnny__Canada) August 1, 2026
One user hit out at the criticism Cunningham has received for her comments, claiming the opinion was not controversial at all.
“Her stance was not against trans participation. Her stance was only girls should play in girls sports. If you are not a girl, then you shouldn’t play girls sports. Thank you for your attention to the matter,” they wrote.
Her stance was not against trans participation. Her stance was only girls should play in girls sports. If you are not a girl ( man, dog, Bigfoot, trans etc. ) then you shouldn’t play girls sports .
Thank you for your attention to the matter.
— The Atlien (@Ga_Ballknower) August 1, 2026
However, some fans were left frustrated at the level of off-court drama and controversy that continues to engulf the WNBA.
“Ready for Unrivaled at this point… it’s so positive and fun on that side. Crazy what the WNBA is becoming. Such a shame,” one fan commented.
Ready for @Unrivaledwbb at this point… it’s so positive and fun on that side. Crazy what the @WNBA is becoming. Such a shame 😒 https://t.co/nUtnSfPond
— G1YL (@g1ylps) August 1, 2026
“The hypocrisy in this league is unmatched,” wrote another.
The hypocrisy in this league is unmatched
— Pinkman (@pinkman_ai) August 1, 2026
The rallies are set to continue as the Fever face the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Jennifer Sey, the founder of XX-XY Athletics, has announced that she is organizing a “Sophie Night” outside Target Center in support of Cunningham before Fever-Lynx tips off at 1 p.m. ET.
