Indiana Fever dodge questions about ‘Support Sophie Cunningham’ rally - Awful Announcing

What the report says

Awful Announcing reported that the Indiana Fever limited postgame media access to questions about a “Support Sophie Cunningham” rally held outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle before the Fever’s July 28 game against the Seattle Storm. The rally followed recent comments by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham opposing transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, including remarks in an ESPN profile published July 21. The outlet said the demonstration appeared small, with the Indianapolis Star cited as reporting that only dozens attended, while counterprotesters were also present.

According to the report, Forbes journalist Roberta F. Rodrigues said Caitlin Clark and Cunningham were not made available for non-basketball questions after the game. Clark had initially been listed for the postgame press conference but was replaced by Kelsey Mitchell, despite leading Indiana in scoring and assists. When Rodrigues asked Fever coach Stephanie White about Cunningham’s comments and the surrounding reaction, a Fever public relations representative instead read a statement saying neither the organization nor Cunningham knew about or contacted the rally’s organizers. The statement said the team’s focus was winning games and building Fever support.

Awful Announcing also noted that Storm coach Sonia Raman responded to a similar question by saying Seattle wanted its arena to feel safe, inclusive and welcoming, and that the organization had worked with Climate Pledge Arena and security. The article framed the Fever’s handling of media availability as significant because debates around Clark, Cunningham and WNBA players’ public responsibilities have become tied to broader political and social tensions around the league.