The inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports has become one of the biggest controversies in the WNBA this season.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has been vocal in her opposition to the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, which has led to pressure on Caitlin Clark to share her thoughts on the polarizing issue as well.
Dave Portnoy Reacts to Trans-Athlete Controversy Amid Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark’s Statements
Clark declined to take a firm stance on the issue on Sunday, instead calling for “leagues and governing bodies” to find a solution. However, with the pressure piling on the Fever superstar to take a stance on the matter, Barstool Sports founder and CEO Dave Portnoy has come to her defense.
“Caitlin Clark’s getting dragged into it. It’s a nuclear story on something that I don’t know how many people it actually affects,” Portnoy said on “Wake Up Barstool” on Monday.
.@stoolpresidente’s take on everything going on with Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever pic.twitter.com/SfqTCdsFks
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) August 3, 2026
Portnoy also claimed that the issue has been blown out of proportion. He added that Cunningham’s comments weren’t as controversial as they were made out to be by many.
“I don’t think Sophie Cunningham said anything that is that crazy or worthy of this type of controversy. But like with anything in the WNBA, it takes on a world of its own and something that you’re like, ‘this shouldn’t be that big of an issue,’ suddenly Caitlin Clark is the devil because she won’t speak up on both sides,” Portnoy said before adding that the WNBA is “a crazy, crazy league.”
Cunningham shared her thoughts in an ESPN interview, explaining that she wants to protect young girls in locker rooms and in sports from having to “go against biological men.” Her comments sparked a nationwide debate, and things escalated last week as fans held rallies both in support of and against her stance.
Clark was initially unavailable for press conferences and interviews in the wake of the controversy. However, she was asked to share her thoughts on the issue after Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx, but she refused to delve into it.
“I think, for us, it’s not really a discussion we really have in our locker room. I think it’s for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions, but our focus is on basketball,” Clark said.
Protests and rallies are set to continue this week, with activist apparel brand XX-XY Athletics hinting at continued support for Cunningham at Fever games.
