While she has only started three games this season, Indiana Fever backup Sophie Cunningham continues to dominate headlines. Yet, it’s not for anything related to what she does on the court.
In a season when the WNBA should be enjoying the merits of its elite players like Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles, Cunningham’s presence and her thoughts have allowed the league to reach another level of prominence, one they may not want.
Activist Group Founder Touts Sophie Cunningham’s Impact on Their Movement
Cunningham averages nine points per game on one of the best teams in the WNBA, a depth piece for a team built around Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston. Yet, she jumped to the forefront of the conversation by revealing her stance against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports last month. Later, she doubled down on her statements.
Jennifer Sey, the founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, an apparel company with a similar stance, praised the Fever reserve for sticking to her viewpoint, while the reaction has helped her company.
“In less than 2 weeks, XX-XY Athletics has sold nearly 7k t-shirts and tons of other gear. Search volume for our brand name has increased more than 5000%. We are leading a movement. And we aren’t backing down. We stand up for female athletes. Even when it’s hard,” she wrote on X.
In less than 2 weeks, @xx_xyathletics has sold nearly 7k t-shirts and tons of other gear. Search volume for our brand name has increased more than 5000%.
We are leading a movement. And we aren’t backing down.
We stand up for female athletes. Even when it’s hard. pic.twitter.com/2tJnZ0EVTF
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) August 12, 2026
Sey and her company aren’t the only ones to attempt to capitalize on Cunningham. Enes Kanter, a former NBA player, declared himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Similarly, Royce White, a former first-round draft pick of the Houston Rockets, who played just three games without scoring a point, followed suit.
To this point in the WNBA’s three-decade history, only one transgender player, Layshia Clarendon, has ever played in the league. Officially, the WNBA doesn’t have a transgender policy, but the collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible to play.
Yesterday, the league held a meeting with team presidents and general managers to address off-court issues. In the end, they issued a statement about an outside group using league matters and quotes for their benefit.
“We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with our league’s values. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
From the outside, it doesn’t look like Sey, XX-XY, or others will walk away from the issue. Can the WNBA turn the focus back on basketball?
