People with a large following are often under scrutiny for their opinions and stances on particularly sensitive topics. The same is the case with the Indiana Fever Star Sophie Cunningham.
What started as part of a wide-ranging ESPN profile has now spiraled into a season-long storyline involving public bashing, a suspended team co-owner, and commentary from the White House.
However, on Friday, the Portland Fire crowd took it to another level as Cunningham couldn’t escape the boos at the Moda Center. Cunningham was jeered by the crowd every time she checked into the game, with many fans waving transgender flags to show their support against her.
Moda Center Targets Sophie Cunningham With All Their Might
Three days earlier, in Seattle, a group of fans came to support the Fever Star outside the Climate Pledge Arena. However, that night ended with the Storm’s co-owner, Celeste Keaton, being fined and suspended for five games after allegedly confronting two teenage fans holding pro-Cunningham signs.
Despite the ruckus, fans held another Pro Cunningham rally outside the Moda Center before tipoff, but what happened inside was an entirely different story.
Fans were merciless against the Fever Star and made sure to voice their frustrations. While the Fever eventually came away with a 112-98 win, every time Cunningham touched the ball, entered the court, or made a play, the arena erupted with boos
Definitely a reaction in Portland as Sophie Cunningham checks into the game.
Several fans waiving small transgender pride flags as well. pic.twitter.com/5fidVSgjhA
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) August 1, 2026
However, that did not affect Cunningham in the slightest. One user highlighted, “She went from being a crowd favorite to a villain for speaking and standing up for her women? The world is really upside down now. Sad.”
She went from beingva crowd favorite to a villain for speaking and standing up for her women? The world is really upaide down now. Sad.
— Dey (@DeySportsFan) August 1, 2026
Another user took a dig at the Portland fandom, writing, “Portland should be thankful, they’re all there to see CC, getting to see Sophie was a bonus”
Portland should be thankful, they’re all there to see CC, getting to see Sophie was a bonus
— Joe “The Sauce” Hedberg (@JoeInOregon_87) August 1, 2026
One user went on to comment: “The Portland crowd is booing Sophie Cunningham so she swishes the three then talks trash to them. I guess people in Portland don’t like those who stand up for women’s sports.”
The Portland crowd is booing Sophie Cunningham so she swishes the three then talks trash to them.
I guess people in Portland don’t like those who stand up for women’s sports. pic.twitter.com/0keH79f7Jj
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) August 1, 2026
Another user expressed dissatisfaction with the way fans treated Cunningham, saying, “Pathetic set”
Pathetic set https://t.co/NEVOjgzB6y
— 🇯🇲 Introverted Observer (i~o) (@crazyideaguy) August 1, 2026
Sophie’s unfazed reaction to the crowd’s boos also garnered a lot of public support, as she let her game speak instead of engaging in a verbal altercation. One user was amused by her reaction and commented, “That response to the crowd was genuinely cold.”
That response to the crowd was genuinely cold.
— Ed (@Eduardopto) August 1, 2026
What’s new since Cunningham’s comments first drew national attention is the predictability of the response everywhere the Fever travel.
Supporters are now bound to show up outside arenas with signs thanking her.
Sophie Cunningham taunts ‘LOSERS’ fans MID-GAME pic.twitter.com/ZSoz5ruMg3
— RT (@RT_com) August 1, 2026
Crowds inside respond with a mix of boos, pride flags, and counter-signage. And Cunningham, each time without fail, is asked to comment before tipoff.
A third rally is reportedly already planned for Indiana’s upcoming game against the Minnesota Lynx, making the Portland scene highly unlikely to be the last of its kind this season.
