Fever do not answer questions about pro-Cunningham rally ahead of 105-95 win against Storm - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reported that Indiana Fever guards Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark were not made available for postgame questions after Indiana’s 105-95 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in Seattle. The questions sought by media related to a pregame rally outside Climate Pledge Arena backing Cunningham after her recent remarks about transgender athletes in women’s sports.

According to AP, a few dozen people gathered outside the arena both to support Cunningham and to promote two Washington state initiatives: IL26-638, which would restrict transgender students from competing in girls’ athletics in the state’s schools, and IL26-001, described as an expansion of Washington’s “Parents’ Bill of Rights.” AP reported that Cunningham had supported excluding transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published the prior week.

Inside the arena, Storm fans booed Cunningham when she entered the game and again as she took her first free throws, AP reported. Instead of Cunningham or Clark, Fever players Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings spoke with reporters along with head coach Stephanie White. When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s comments, a team public relations representative said the Fever organization and Cunningham had no prior knowledge of the demonstration or contact with its organizers, and said the team’s focus was basketball and its fan base.

Storm coach Sonia Raman said Seattle, the franchise and the arena aim to be welcoming, and that the organization had coordinated with venue security so people entering the building felt safe, included and welcome. The episode put a national debate over transgender participation in sports alongside a WNBA game involving two high-profile teams and players.