WNBA addresses security incident involving fans at Fever game
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 7:30 AM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
During a recent WNBA matchup on August 17, the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 95-91. However, the game was overshadowed by an incident involving a mother and daughter instructed by arena security to cover up their XX-XY Athletics T-shirts. Following the incident, the WNBA issued a statement asserting that such actions should not have occurred. In response, Kasey and Annie Thomason expressed concerns that future issues could arise as Annie stated it will continue unless substantive changes are made. The Atlanta Dream clarified that their personnel were not involved in the security decisions. The Fever's next game is scheduled against the Toronto Tempo on August 22.
- •Indiana Fever defeats Atlanta Dream 95-91
- •Security told fans to cover XX-XY T-shirts
- •WNBA states this incident should not have happened
- •Atlanta Dream denies involvement in security actions
- •Fever play Toronto Tempo next on August 22
- 7:30 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA security guard makes stance on XX-XY shirts clear after previous issue at Indiana Fever game
- 7:30 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Common sense people’ – Response issued by WNBA fans who were told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts
- 10:48 PMUSA Today — WNBA says fans ‘should not have’ been asked to cover up XX-XY shirts - USA Today
"The WNBA and Indiana Fever continue to make headlines following previous comments from Sophie Cunningham regarding trans athletes competing in the sport. The Fever secured a 95-91 victory against the Atlanta Dream recently, but the on-court action was far from the main talking point of the day.
"The debate around whether or not trans athletes should be allowed to play in the WNBA is one of the biggest talking points in sport right now. It began when Sophie Cunningham spoke about protecting young girls from ‘biological males’, with said comments creating a lot of mixed reactions.
"Sophie Cunningham fans say they were made to cover up XX-XY shirts at Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game. WNBA says that shouldn't have happened.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 7:30 AMWNBA security guard makes stance on XX-XY shirts clear after previous issue at Indiana Fever game
The debate around whether or not trans athletes should be allowed to play in the WNBA is one of the biggest talking points in sport right now. It began when Sophie Cunningham spoke about protecting young girls from ‘biological males’, with said comments creating a lot of mixed reactions.
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 7:30 AM‘Common sense people’ – Response issued by WNBA fans who were told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts
The WNBA and Indiana Fever continue to make headlines following previous comments from Sophie Cunningham regarding trans athletes competing in the sport. The Fever secured a 95-91 victory against the Atlanta Dream recently, but the on-court action was far from the main talking point of the day.
- USA TodayAug 17, 2026, 10:48 PMWNBA says fans ‘should not have’ been asked to cover up XX-XY shirts - USA Today
Sophie Cunningham fans say they were made to cover up XX-XY shirts at Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game. WNBA says that shouldn't have happened.
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