Sophie Cunningham fans allege Storm players, exec heckled girls during game over support of women's sports - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News reported that supporters of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham alleged they were mocked and verbally abused during the Fever’s Tuesday night game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The account centers on teenage girls wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and carrying signs thanking Cunningham, whose recent comments about protecting women’s sports have drawn attention amid debate over transgender athletes.

Independent journalist Brandi Kruse, who helped organize a related gathering outside the arena, told Fox News Digital that some fans booed the girls and that unidentified Storm players made thumbs-down gestures toward them. Kruse also alleged that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton approached two girls at halftime, yelled at them and used profanity. The Storm gave Fox News a statement acknowledging that one co-owner made comments to two fans and apologizing, saying all attendees should feel welcome and respected.

Fox also cited women’s sports activist Amy Sousa, who organized the pregame rally, as saying she did not witness the alleged exchange with Keaton or the players’ gestures but heard about them afterward. The report said the group had left signs tied to Washington Initiative 638 outside the arena because they believed political signs were barred, while arena video boards displayed “No Hate in Washington State” messages opposing the measure. Storm center Stefanie Dolson was also reported to have worn a “Trans rights are human rights” shirt.

On the court, Indiana beat Seattle 105-95. Fox reported Cunningham scored 11 points, while Caitlin Clark had 32 and Kelsey Mitchell added 28. The allegations add to wider scrutiny of how WNBA venues handle fan conduct, political messaging and disputes over women’s sports policy.