WNBA Coach Protests Sophie Cunningham With Pro-Trans Shirt

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve appeared to push back against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s stance on women’s sports by wearing a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt during her team’s 108-100 win over the Fever on Sunday.

Cunningham has drawn sharp criticism across the league for arguing that biological males should not compete in girls’ and women’s athletics. Reeve’s choice of apparel was the latest visible reaction to those remarks.

The two briefly spoke at midcourt before tipoff in what looked like a polite exchange. Afterward, Reeve told reporters they discussed the responsibilities that come with public platforms and a shared desire to educate people. She noted they have some common ground while differing on other issues, but she did not go into further detail.

Inside the Target Center, the crowd made its feelings clear. Fans loudly booed Cunningham during introductions and nearly every time she touched the ball. Several spectators also wore shirts matching the slogan on Reeve’s.

On-court tension surfaced in the second quarter when Cunningham took an elbow to the face while defending a Minnesota player. Officials instead called a defensive foul on her. The broadcast crew expressed confusion, and the home crowd cheered after a brief review upheld the ruling.

Outside the arena, competing groups held demonstrations. Supporters of women’s sports wore XX-XY Athletics gear and carried signs such as “Thank You Sophie,” “Pro-Women, Not Anti-Trans,” and “Trust the Science.” Nearby, activists backing transgender athletes displayed their own signs and used megaphones. Heated arguments broke out between the sides, and security stepped in after at least one physical clash.

This marked the third straight Fever road game to feature organized protests tied to Cunningham’s comments. Similar gatherings occurred in Seattle and Portland after she publicly said young female athletes should not have to compete against biological men.

In Seattle, the protests led to league discipline when Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton confronted two teenage girls wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts, using harsh language and leaving one in tears. The WNBA later fined the Storm and barred Keaton from the team’s next five home games.

Cunningham has shown no sign of softening her position. Ahead of the Portland game she said she is there to play basketball and to be herself, adding that she will not dim her views simply because others disagree.

The ongoing controversy has increasingly dominated attention on the Fever’s recent road trip, with protests, fan reactions, and responses from coaches and officials following the team from city to city as Cunningham’s off-court profile continues to rise.