Sophie Cunningham poses with Riley Gaines before WNBA game
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 3, 2026, 6:53 AM
Last updated Aug 3, 2026
Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever shared a pre-game photo with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines prior to their matchup against the Minnesota Lynx on August 3. The image, which included a sign expressing gratitude to Gaines, sparked mixed reactions among fans, reflecting the contentious debate surrounding trans athletes in women's sports. While Cunningham has voiced support for keeping women's sports exclusive to biological women, her performance that night saw her score just three points. The Fever ultimately lost to the Lynx 108-100, marking a setback in their pursuit of a title as they remain tied for fifth place in the standings.
- •Cunningham poses with Gaines before game against Lynx
- •Fan reactions highlight divisive views on trans athletes
- •Cunningham scores only three points in the loss
- •Fever drop to a tie for fifth in WNBA standings
- •Next game focus remains on improving team performance
- 6:53 AMYahoo Sports — Sophie Cunningham’s pre-game photo with Riley Gaines draws strong reaction from fans
"Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s pre-game photo with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines led to mixed reactions on the internet. Cunningham has become a major voice in the debate to keep trans athletes out of gendered sports, with Sophie expressing her support for keeping women’s sports closed to biological women.
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