WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has publicly criticized Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after two young women alleged they were branded “f***ing insane” during a courtside confrontation over their protest against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Cunningham helped the Indiana Fever secure a victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night, but much of the attention before tipoff centered on her recent remarks about “protecting” women athletes — comments that some interpreted as criticism of the transgender community.
Inside the arena, two front-row fans displayed signs backing Cunningham’s stance. They later claimed the gesture sparked a tense exchange at courtside, accusing one of the Storm’s co-owners of berating them — an incident the organization has since addressed with an apology.
“You can disagree and still be kind,” Cunningham wrote in response. “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.”
Two young women, left, said Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton called them “f***ing insane” and confronted them over their public support for Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham, 29, recently said women “shouldn’t have to go against biological men”
Keaton, pictured in 2022
The two young fans at the Fever-Storm game proudly brandished a sign declaring their support for Cunningham’s views. It read: ‘Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls.’
The pair were also wearing T-shirts made by XX-XY Athletics, a clothing brand that ‘stands up for women’s sports’ and was founded by former national champion gymnast Jennifer Sey.
Despite insisting they were ‘being super respectful’ throughout, they allege Keaton approached them and berated them in the middle of the arena.
They told unDivided’s Brandi Kruse: ‘We were just sitting there with our signs, holding them and watching the game and we were being super great. We hadn’t said anything to anyone else, we were being super respectful. We were just holding our signs and cheering for both teams.
‘Then this older lady (Keaton) comes up to us and, at first I think she’s going to be nice, but then asks “what are you guys doing?” or something like that.
‘”Jesus loves everyone.” That’s what she told us. I said “I know. I’m religious. I know.”
‘Then she said “I hope Jesus can forgive you for what sin you’ve done” and then she told us we are “f***ing insane.”‘ The girls then mimic Keaton pointing at her head.
‘She then said “for you guys to come here and pull this s***”…’
Storm Majority Owner Ginny Gilder later said in a statement: ‘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.’
WNBA star Cunningham took to X to slam Keaton and called her ‘truly embarrassing’
People gathered in support of Cunningham in Seattle before the game started on Tuesday night
The girls also alleged that nobody in the seats around them spoke up in their defense and the incident left them in tears. Kruse claims she attempted to get security involved but was told to email the Storm’s front office.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Cunningham spoke about the backlash to her views and doubled down, saying: ‘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.’
Cunningham then continued to speak out with a not-so subtle Instagram post in the days after.
Taking to the social media platform, the WNBA star shared pictures of her arriving before one of the Fever’s recent games, with the caption: ‘I said what I said.’
There was also an anti-trans rally near the arena in support of Cunningham before Tuesday’s game.
Cunningham smiles as she warms up ahead of the game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday
A crowd of a few dozen gathered outside the arena to promote statewide initiatives 638 and 011
A crowd of a few dozen had gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to both support Cunningham and promote statewide initiatives 638 and 011, which would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools.
Media members asked to speak to Cunningham and Clark postgame, but neither player was made available. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.
When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a Fever public relations representative intervened with the following statement:
‘Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,’ the statement said. ‘Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.’
