Honestly I’m surprised they did anything.
The WNBA has experienced a surge in popularity over the past few years, thanks in large part to the arrival of Caitlin Clark with the Indiana Fever back in 2024. But it seems like the league just keeps finding ways to shoot itself in the foot.
Clark’s popularity has elevated the WNBA to new heights, with has obviously benefited everybody, from the league to the players. A rising tide lifts all boats, right?
But it seems like the league has no interest in capitalizing on that newfound popularity, consistently leaving out Clark when it comes to their promotional material, underranking her among her peers, dismissing her impact in the media and allowing aggressive physical contact against her on the court to go unchecked.
Aside from Clark, one of the most recognizable players in the league right now is her Indiana Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham. The 29-year-old was recently featured as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, but also made headlines this month when she spoke out against biological men playing women’s sports.
In an ESPN article, Cunningham made her stance on the hot-button issue clear:
“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, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
And after (predictably) receiving backlash from the left and the media for her position, Cunningham doubled down, calling it “common sense.”
Well this week, Cunningham and the Indiana Fever were in Seattle for a matchup against their WNBA team, the Seattle Storm. And some of the opposing team’s players even used the opportunity to take a thinly-veiled shot at Cunningham, which was then promoted on the team’s social media account:
But there were also several fans in attendance to show support for Cunningham, including two teens holding signs thanking her for speaking out on behalf of female athletes.
According to the young girls though, one of the Seattle Storm’s co-owners came up to them during the game to express her displeasure with their signs, calling them “f—ing insane.”
The owner involved in the incident was reportedly Celeste Keaton, the wife of team co-owner Lisa Brummel. And after news of the incident went viral, the team’s majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a statement to Front Office Sports seemingly confirming reports of the confrontation and apologizing for Keaton’s actions:
“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”
And now, the WNBA has stepped in to take action, suspending Keaton from attending the next five Seattle Storm home games and fining the team for their owner’s actions.
Speaking on the incident after it became public, Cunningham called the team exec’s actions “embarrassing” and indicating that she intends to reach out to the fans involved:
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.
Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon … yay for gifts.
Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.”
Good for Sophie. And it’s embarrassing that she’s handling the situation with more maturity than the owner of a WNBA team.
