Stephanie White doesn’t seem to share the same conviction or position as Sophie Cunningham on the controversial topic of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.
While the Indiana Fever guard remains adamant on her stance, White said on Friday that she isn’t “educated enough from a scientific standpoint” to deliver a definitive answer, drawing backlash from the WNBA world.
Fever Coach Stephanie White Draws Heat for Stance on Sophie Cunningham Controversy
Addressing the media on Friday, White said that “exclusion,” which Cunningham demands, is not the answer.
“I don’t know that I would say that I’m educated enough from a scientific standpoint. I don’t ever believe that exclusion is an answer,” White said.
“I just don’t. I do think when we think about various levels of sport, various governing bodies of sport, and things that go into that. Like I said, I’m not educated enough at the different levels. I know, growing up, I played with the boys all the time.”
Stephanie White won’t pick a side on one of the biggest issues in women’s sports.
The Fever coach says she’s not “educated enough” to take a stance on men competing in women’s sports. pic.twitter.com/dhLmbQ8588
— OutKick (@Outkick) August 1, 2026
White’s comments earned flak from the WNBA community.
“This is just so patently dishonest. She knows damn well that a top boys HS player would break every WNBA record there is,” an X user wrote.
“Very weak, amazing she’s leading a team. Definitely not someone that should be in that role,” another X user added.
“Stephanie, it does not take Einstein to figure this one out…..SMDH,” an Army veteran continued.
“‘I coach a female basketball team, so I’m not sure from a scientific perspective about men playing in girls sports.’ If you’re that stupid, you shouldn’t even be a coach,” a WNBA observer reacted.
“This is embarrassing… Fever coach Stephanie White was asked her stance on males competing in women’s sports. Her answer: ‘I wouldn’t really say that I’m educated enough from a scientific standpoint.’ You’re a professional coach… and you claim you don’t know the difference between a male and a female? These woke (expletive) have destroyed this league,” a user did not hold back.
The uproar surrounding Cunningham started following her interview with ESPN over a week ago.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” the former Phoenix Mercury guard had said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Groups supporting and against Cunningham have rallied in each of the Fever’s past two games. On Tuesday in Seattle, Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton received backlash for reportedly confronting and berating two young Cunningham supporters.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a public apology, while the WNBA suspended Keaton for five home games. For her part, White wants to block out the outside noise while the Fever, winners of their last five games, are on a roll (19-10).
However, White’s stance has only added to the scrutiny hounding Cunningham and the team.
