Sophie Cunningham stirs reactions with comments on transgender athletes
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 3:22 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, averaging under 10 points this season, has sparked controversy with comments regarding transgender girls in sports. Despite limited scoring impact, her popularity has surged, leading to both support and criticism online. After declaring her stance on protecting young girls in sports, her Adidas shoes sold out quickly. Responses on social media reflect a divide, with some advocating for her viewpoint while others accuse her of insincerity. The situation raises questions about the longevity of her marketability in the WNBA.
- •Cunningham discusses transgender girls competing in women's sports.
- •She has become highly controversial despite low season scoring.
- •Her Adidas shoes sold out after the public response to her comments.
- •Mixed reactions on social media highlight societal divides on the issue.
- •Cunningham's future marketability in the WNBA remains uncertain.
- 1:44 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA facing calls to cancel rally Sophie Cunningham ‘incited’ with anti-trans comments
- 11:51 PMYahoo Sports — ‘She is a stain on society’: Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments lead to ‘digusting’ rally and spark outrage
- 11:36 PMYahoo Sports — Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments lead to rally before Fever game
- 3:22 PMYahoo Sports — ‘The woke era is dead’: Sophie Cunningham’s recent success causes a stir
"Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham is averaging less than 10 points on the season, but has still managed to become one of the most popular players in the WNBA. Most recently, Cunningham has received a massive amount of support, as well as backlash, for her comments on transgender girls competing in sports with other…
"It’s not often that the discourse surrounding a league is dominated by a reserve player. However, that was exactly the case heading into the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who is averaging 9.3 points off the bench this season, had a feature published by ESPN where she spoke about what she…
"Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham, who is averaging 9.3 points per game this season, ignited debate online last week when she touched on her desire to “protect women’s sports” in a feature from ESPN. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 1:44 AMWNBA facing calls to cancel rally Sophie Cunningham ‘incited’ with anti-trans comments
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has never been shy about offering her opinion. That was proven true last week when Cunningham was the center of an ESPN feature, and she discussed what she felt was necessary to “protect women’s sports.” “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I…
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 11:51 PM‘She is a stain on society’: Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments lead to ‘digusting’ rally and spark outrage
It’s not often that the discourse surrounding a league is dominated by a reserve player. However, that was exactly the case heading into the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who is averaging 9.3 points off the bench this season, had a feature published by ESPN where she spoke about what she…
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 11:36 PMSophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments lead to rally before Fever game
Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham, who is averaging 9.3 points per game this season, ignited debate online last week when she touched on her desire to “protect women’s sports” in a feature from ESPN. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham…
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 3:22 PM‘The woke era is dead’: Sophie Cunningham’s recent success causes a stir
Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham is averaging less than 10 points on the season, but has still managed to become one of the most popular players in the WNBA. Most recently, Cunningham has received a massive amount of support, as well as backlash, for her comments on transgender girls competing in sports with other…
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