The popularity of the WNBA has been growing by the minute; however, one storyline that has been particularly in the headlines is Sophie Cunningham & her stance on trans athletes participating in women’s sports.
This ongoing feud has even made its way to the ESPN broadcast booth after the network’s coverage of Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve drew major criticism from those who felt they had taken sides.
On-Air Controversy Forces Fans To Question ESPN’s Intentions
During the nationally televised match between the Minnesota Lynx & the Indiana Fever, coach Reeve made her stance clear by wearing a light blue T-shirt reading ‘trans kids belong’ throughout the game.
ESPN’s ABC broadcast team addressed the hard-to-miss message in a way fans did not appreciate.
“Well, we see Cheryl Reeve wearing a shirt today in support of trans kids,” play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco said on air. “‘Trans Kids Belong’ on the shirt. This in the aftermath of Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments.”
Commentator Rebecca Lobo went even further, encouraging viewers to seek out Reeve’s fuller remarks from the day before. “I would encourage anyone to go and listen to Cheryl Reeve’s comments,” Lobo said on the broadcast, calling them “incredibly thoughtful.”
The coverage seemed to spark controversy, as some felt the multi-million-dollar broadcast channel was taking sides.
Claiming there was a bias, one user wrote, “ESPN promoted Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve’s ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt & encouraged fans to listen to her ‘incredibly thoughtful’ comments from yesterday… What a joke.”
ESPN promoted Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve’s “Trans Kids Belong” t-shirt & encouraged fans to listen to her “incredibly thoughtful” comments from yesterday…
What a joke. pic.twitter.com/XSxfQfp0z5
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 2, 2026
Another frustrated user decided to voice their opinions against ESPN and wrote, “ESPN has been a joke for yrs now. Between their DEI and the racist hires they have made their institution is losing”
ESPN has been a joke for yrs now. Between their DEI and the racist hires they have made their institution is losing
— Nikki 13219 (@Nikki13219) August 3, 2026
One user expressed their disappointment and remarked, “ESPN continues its downfall and loss of credibility.”
ESPN continues its downfall and loss of credibility.
— Paul_iNDy_5680 (@Paul5680ND) August 2, 2026
One user appeared to try to decode a pattern from ESPN while remaining neutral on the matter.
“@espn is a joke and always has been when it comes to politics and moral values. Nothing wrong with the shirt, but don’t promote it.”
@espn is a joke and always has been when it comes to politics and moral values. Nothing wrong with the shirt, but don’t promote it.
— Tom S (@TomSportsInc) August 2, 2026
A X handle even questioned ESPN’s intentions in a bold warning. “@espn you’re stupid. Do you want to lose ratings and paid subscriptions and advertisers?”
@espn you’re stupid. Do you want to lose ratings and paid subscriptions and advertisers?
— RealEuropean75 (@REuropean75) August 2, 2026
The game on Sunday ended with Minnesota beating Indiana 108-100, but the result was almost beside the point as the spotlight continues to stay on the Fever star. This has been the third consecutive game where rallies both for and against Cunningham’s position have appeared.
ESPN is also apparently adding fuel to this already fiery story. The broadcast that was supposed to just call the game has likely ended up amplifying one coach’s position without offering the same on-air framing to the other side.
This perception alone is enough to pull the network into a controversy it didn’t start, but is now very much a part of.
