Fan forced to remove pro-Cunningham sign at Indiana Fever-Seattle Storm game
During the Indiana Fever's visit to Seattle, a spectator was asked to take down a sign supporting guard Sophie Cunningham after her comments on transgender athletes sparked debate.
The Indiana Fever played the Seattle Storm in Seattle on Tuesday, their first game after the 2026 All-Star Weekend. The matchup drew attention not for the teams' performance but for reserve guard Sophie Cunningham's recent remarks about transgender participation in women's sports. In an ESPN profile, Cunningham said she had received criticism for being perceived as anti-trans and emphasized her desire to protect “young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men.”
The comments ignited a split response online, with some commentators backing her stance while others, including a childhood friend, dismissed the issue as minor. Ahead of the game, a Seattle community group organized a rally in support of Cunningham, prompting counterprotests.
Inside the arena, a fan displayed a sign reading “Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls,” while another held a “NO HATE IN THE UNITED STATES” sign. According to a social-media post, arena staff asked the pro-Cunningham fan to remove his sign, which led to further online criticism. One user wrote, “If the pro Sophie sign had to go down the anti Sophie sign should've went down too. Just selective,” and another called for a boycott of the league.
The Fever won the game 105-95, but the incident highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding gender-identity debates in women's athletics.