Supporters and protesters clash outside United Center during WNBA game

Around a dozen supporters of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham assembled outside the United Center in Chicago before the team’s home game, holding signs and chanting in favor of the player’s stance on women’s sports. The gathering was met by a separate group of activists advocating for transgender inclusion in athletics, who wore masks, displayed their own signs and played loud music.

"We support Sophie. We don’t want her to stand alone," said Jennifer Sey, a former U.S. women's gymnastics champion and founder of XX-XY Athletics, addressing the Cunningham supporters.

"I feel like our rights are being violated. Our trans youth are being taken advantage of," said a self-identified transgender protester when asked about the issue.

"The truth is: trans women are women, so if they want to play women’s sports, then that’s something they should do as women," said another protester wearing a "Protect Trans Youth" shirt.

Both sides exchanged accusations and profanity, with some protesters using inflammatory language on signs and in chants. The event reflected ongoing tensions in the WNBA over policies concerning transgender athletes and the definition of women's sports.

The United Center staff did not intervene, and the game proceeded as scheduled. No arrests or injuries were reported.