The WNBA had an opportunity to carve out a new name for itself this season with such a huge number of rising stars on board. Instead, the league has become widely associated with the continuous trans-athlete debate.
XX-XY CEO Jennifer Sey has remained a constant voice in the controversy, and her latest post on social media has sparked even more outrage.
Jennifer Sey Adds Fuel to Fire With Latest Social Media Post
On Aug. 30, Sey took to X, formerly Twitter, to set the record straight on where she stands.
“There are a lot of folks screeching that there are no ‘trans’ players in the WNBA so what is Sophie on about,” she wrote. “First off, this is about men in women’s sports. Not trans. Layshia Clarendon (trans identified) played for more than a decade in the WNBA. No one cared. Because she’s a woman.”
Sey added, “Second, Sophie never said a word about trans in the WNBA. She talked about little girls deserving privacy and fair sports. And there are, without question, males playing in girls’ youth sports. And young women’s high school sports. And males are in the locker room with girls. That’s what she was talking about.”
“THEN yes, it teed up the conversation about the WNBA. And advocacy groups began to push for sex testing in the WNBA specifically. Just like the IOC has in place. And the WTA. Sophie hasn’t said a word about sex testing. Not once. And she hasn’t said a mean word about any group or person.”
For more background, Sey followed up with, “Of note, when the Olympics come around in 2028, the women who want to play will undergo sex testing. Will they argue it’s too invasive or just go along? I think we know.”
In one bold statement, she finished, “NWSL, you’re next.”
There are a lot of folks screeching that there are no “trans” players in the WNBA so what is Sophie on about.
First off, this is about men in women’s sports. Not trans. Layshia Clarendon (trans identified) played for more than a decade in the WNBA. No one cared. Because she’s a…
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) August 30, 2026
For further context, Layshia Clarendon was the first openly transgender and nonbinary player in the WNBA. In September 2024, they announced their retirement from professional basketball after 12 seasons with six teams.
The trans-athlete debate this season was ignited by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, and the controversy took off from there. Sey has been a leading voice on the subject, and she, too, has faced consistent criticism from those with opposing views.
However, Sey appears determined to ask the WNBA questions as it remains mum on the ongoing controversy. This has quickly become a sensitive issue for both sides, but with the postseason nearing, now is the time to regain focus and return to the sport that fans initially grew to love.
