Storm apologize after co-owner berates teen girls for support of Cunningham

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that the WNBA’s Seattle Storm apologized after a team co-owner allegedly used profanity toward two teenage girls at a home game against the Indiana Fever. The fans were holding signs supporting Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham, including one thanking her for “speaking up for girls,” amid a broader debate over transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports.

Independent journalist Brandi Kruse reported that minority owner Celeste Keaton called the teenagers “f—ing insane.” In a statement published Wednesday, Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder acknowledged that a co-owner had made comments to two fans at the previous night’s game and apologized, saying the franchise wants every attendee to feel welcome and respected.

Kruse also told Fox News that some Seattle players gestured thumbs-down toward the girls and that other spectators booed them. Al Jazeera reported that Cunningham received both cheers and jeers during the game, which Indiana won 105-95. The Fever did not make Cunningham available for postgame questions; she scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

The incident drew attention because Cunningham recently discussed her view that girls should not have to compete against biological males, while saying she did not intend hatred toward transgender people. The article also noted that supporters of women’s sports and pro-transgender activists were both present outside the arena before the game. The loss left Seattle at 6-24 after a seventh straight defeat.