Sophie Cunningham sparked a controversy in the WNBA by speaking out against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports last month.
Fans rallied both in support of and against Cunningham ahead of the Indiana Fever’s game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, and one incident sparked outrage on social media.
WNBA World Reacts as Sophie Cunningham Fans Clash With Trans Activists at Fever-Lynx Rally
Activist apparel company XX-XY Athletics led the rally outside Target Center in support of Cunningham on Sunday. They advocated against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports with signs and slogans.
However, clashes ensued between Cunningham supporters and trans activists as violence threatened to break out. Some pro-trans activists holding megaphones appeared to get into confrontations with Cunningham fans in controversial scenes ahead of the Fever-Lynx game.
Former swimmer and political activist Riley Gaines weighed in on the clashes, hitting out at the pro-trans protesters in Minneapolis. Gaines also attended the Fever-Lynx game on Sunday and thanked Cunningham for lending her support to the cause.
“Minneapolis is a joke. These people are hate-filled losers. Just mentally deranged idiots,” she wrote on X.
Minneapolis is a joke. These people are hate-filled losers. Just mentally deranged idiots. https://t.co/2QHWcw4jOJ
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 2, 2026
Another fan called for people to protest peacefully and avoid clashes amid the heated nationwide debate on the topic.
“People need to calm down, be peaceful don’t let your emotions get out of control,” they wrote.
People need to calm down, be peaceful don’t let your emotions get out of control. https://t.co/Jugn6xQXRx
— ambercoxisaterrorist (@RedPillBeaner) August 2, 2026
Another user criticized the pro-trans protestors for their lack of inclusivity.
“Very inclusive aren’t they,” they commented.
Very inclusive aren’t they https://t.co/IeEomIvXxX
— NachoMan⚡ (@EliteGuy7) August 2, 2026
One WNBA fan criticized the protestors for rallying outside Target Center and thinking their actions were making a difference.
“Grown adults standing around outside an arena thinking they making a change,” they wrote.
Grown adults standing around outside an arena thinking they making a change 😭😭😭 https://t.co/6qJZeEEyfy
— ab.sol 🇲🇽🇺🇸 (@ab_12sol) August 2, 2026
One user had a two-word response for the pro-trans supporters at the rally.
“Clown show,” they wrote.
Clown show https://t.co/PC6xgfRyDU
— Mo (@crybabyrcc) August 2, 2026
Cunningham lent her support to the protestors on Friday, praising them for their “bold” and “courageous” efforts to make their voices heard. On the court, the Fever star wasn’t able to stop her team from suffering a 108-100 loss to the Lynx.
Sunday’s rally followed similar protests conducted by Cunningham fans in Seattle and Portland ahead of Fever games. The protests are set to continue in Chicago next Saturday as the Fever face the Sky at the United Center.
