Two Sophie Cunningham Fans Were Confronted By Arena Staff Over Messages On Their Shirts During Fever-Dream Game [VIDEO]
Fans forced to cover Sophie Cunningham support shirts.
Sophie Cunningham stated that she wants to protect young girls and women in sports. She described her position as “common sense.” Cunningham maintained that she does not hate the transgender community and believes there is “room for everyone.”
However, she emphasized that the rights and safety of biological female athletes must be prioritized.
She clarified that her opinions do not stem from bigotry, stating, “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth.”
On social media, she wrote that there is “a safe space and love for EVERYBODY” at her table. Sophie Cunningham also rejected being boxed into a rigid political ideology, calling herself “very much in the middle.”
Cunningham’s statements placed the WNBA at the center of a major culture war. Now, it has gone to the next step.
Arena Staff Confront Sophie Cunningham Supporters
Fans and Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White react to a call Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, during Game 2 of a WNBA playoff matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Following Sophie Cunningham’s comments opposing transgender women in female sports, the controversy sparked a major wave of activism. Supporters of Cunningham have heavily adopted “XX-XY” branded T-shirts.
It continued over the weekend when the Fever faced the Atlanta Dream.
A mother and daughter spent $1,000 per ticket explicitly to watch Cunningham play basketball. Notably, these loyal ticket holders admire her due to her public stance on biological women in sports. To show solidarity, the attending pair wore matching XX/XY chromosomes shirts featuring the text “For the girls” on the back.
However, security personnel quickly intercepted the family inside the stadium seating area because of their political message. Arena staff aggressively gave them two choices: cover up the bold apparel immediately or leave the facility.
Fans Speak Out About The Incident Outside The Arena
July 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) and fans celebrate a 3-point basket against the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images
The mother and daughter explicitly stated that they paid $1,000 per ticket to attend the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game. They stated they were there specifically to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
After being threatened, they also revealed that another woman was told to zip up her jacket, as she also had a message on her shirt. That woman was also put on the Jumbotron for all to see, which alerted security.
This situation has generated fierce criticism toward the female-led basketball league from fans globally. Many people feel that a women’s league silencing female empowerment statements is a severe disappointment.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has since stated she wants to move past her political remarks and focus entirely on the game.
