Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has ignited widespread conversation and national discourse regarding whether transgender women and girls should compete in women’s sports. The controversy began following an ESPN profile featuring Cunningham, where she stated that she wanted to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,
according to reporting from Yahoo.
Sophie Cunningham Sparks National Debate Over Transgender Athletes
Cunningham subsequently doubled down on her stance in interviews and on social media, describing her position as common sense
and posting an Instagram photo flipping her hair with the caption I said what I said.
She also faced both outrage and praise from fans, drawing protests and rallies at various road games while also receiving support from crowds at WNBA venues.
Megan Rapinoe Criticizes Cunningham on Podcast
United States Women’s National Team legend Megan Rapinoe weighed in on the controversy during an episode of her Why Are You Like This?
podcast. While Rapinoe stated that she did not know Cunningham personally, she argued that seeing a photograph of Cunningham posing with anti-trans activist Riley Gaines following a game provided clear insight into her motivations.
Rapinoe criticized Cunningham for platforming Gaines, noting that Gaines is directly tied to the Heritage Foundation. According to Rapinoe, the organization’s published reports suggest a desire to repeal Title IX—the legislation that enabled athletes like Cunningham and Rapinoe to compete. So if anyone is taking these talking points as legit or believing they’re protecting young girls in sports, I just have to ask, are you serious?
Rapinoe asked on the podcast.
Cunningham Desires a Return to Basketball Focus
Amid the ongoing media attention, Cunningham told reporters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse that the intense focus on her comments had become a distraction. She emphasized a desire to keep the attention on athletic competition as the team prepared for upcoming matchups.
The WNBA media, all we ever do is cover everything except basketball,
Cunningham said, according to Yahoo Sports. It’s like, ‘What are we doing?’ You can talk about other things; those are great stories; it shows fans who people are outside of the court, but I also think we keep the main thing the main thing.
Broader WNBA and Public Reactions
The debate has drawn commentary from other prominent figures across the league. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve spoke out in support of transgender athletes, wearing a shirt reading Trans Kids Belong
prior to a game against the Fever and discussing inclusive access for all children as a human rights issue. Cunningham later noted that she respected Reeve for addressing the viewpoints respectfully in person.
Rapinoe has also expanded her advocacy through other media appearances, including an interview on ABC Network’s primetimer.com, where she argued that restrictions targeting transgender athletes function as a wedge issue that ultimately attacks women’s empowerment and distracts from broader societal concerns.
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