‘WNBA needs to suspend her’: Sophie Cunningham sparks outrage for refusing to apologize - Yahoo Sports

What the report says

The Comeback reported that Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham faced renewed criticism after declining to walk back remarks she made about transgender athletes. The article, published July 23, 2026, said reporters asked Cunningham about the issue before the Fever’s Wednesday night game against the Connecticut Sun, following an ESPN interview earlier in the week in which she discussed politics, the “MAGA Barbie” label and what she described as protecting women’s sports.

According to the report, Cunningham said she did not regret her prior comments and characterized her position as common sense. She said she does not hate transgender people and believes there is room to love everyone, while also saying she believes the rights of “biological women” and young girls in sports should be protected. The Comeback said she also rejected assumptions about her politics, describing herself as politically in the middle.

The article focused heavily on backlash from fans and commentators on X. Critics quoted by The Comeback argued that Cunningham’s framing unfairly portrayed transgender athletes as a threat, particularly to children, and one commenter said the WNBA should suspend her. The story did not report any disciplinary action by the league or the Fever.

The controversy matters because comments about transgender participation in sports remain a flashpoint across professional and youth athletics. The Comeback’s account shows how a prominent WNBA player’s remarks quickly moved from an ESPN interview to a wider online debate over inclusion, athlete speech and whether leagues should respond to statements viewed by some fans as harmful.