The spotlight continues to follow Sophie Cunningham even if she’s off the court. On Monday, she told ESPN’s Hallie Grossman that she is against “young girls” being forced to compete against “biological men.”
Cunningham’s comments caused a social media storm, prompting the media to ask for clarifications following the Indiana Fever’s 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday.
WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Reaffirms Controversial Position on Transgender Athletes
Grossman did an exclusive profile of Cunningham, one of the WNBA’s most controversial players and biggest draws. Inevitably, the interview reached the “MAGA Barbie” nickname that Cunningham has dealt with for years.
The Columbia, Missouri, native said that she is very much “in the middle of politics,” but emphasized her unwavering stance against transgender athletes. She said that she has received much backlash for her belief but insisted she is only extending her “love,” and part of that love “is truth and being honest.”
After the pushback she received for her latest comment about transgender athletes, Cunningham addressed that issue again.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect our children. … I stand on what I said,” Cunningham said.
#Fever guard Sophie Cunningham on her trans comments in ESPN:
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. … I think it’s really important to protect children.”
“I don’t dislike anyone. … I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. …” pic.twitter.com/3OrIqoVYrk
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 22, 2026
“I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs, I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and be treated true to who I am. … When it comes to protecting young girls, and sports, and women in sports, I feel very strongly about that.”
Cunningham also shared her thoughts when asked about criticism from transgender people and liberals.
“I extend love. I don’t dislike anyone. I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here. There’s room to love everyone. … I’m there to love, and I’m also there to love biological women and their rights that need to be protected. Like I said, I’m gonna stand true to that. I’ll never falter in my beliefs in that, but I have never once said that I hated the trans community,” the former Phoenix Mercury guard added.
Cunningham’s stance against transgender athletes is in line with that of conservatives. She does not identify with MAGA, but her belief fits with some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s restrictions against transgender athletes.
In February last year, Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender individuals from competing against girls and women. In the statement, he wrote that the government “will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and our girls. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.”
In the interview with Grossman, Cunningham said that she couldn’t care less if people try to fit her into any box. After her latest media interview, there is no doubt that she is standing by her stance, regardless of the backlash or profiling.
