The WNBA and the Atlanta Dream have both criticized a security decision at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena after a mother and daughter said they were told to cover “XX-XY Athletics” shirts worn in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
As reported Monday, the Georgia pair said the incident happened Sunday during a Women’s National Basketball Association game at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena, amid the ongoing national debate over biological men competing in women’s sports.
“We were made to cover up our XX-XY shirts at this game. They gave us T-shirts during overtime and told us we had to leave or cover our shirts up. This just happened,” the mother, identified as Casey, said.
Casey said they had not been disruptive or carrying protest materials. “We were just sitting there. I didn’t make signs; I wanted to make signs, but I didn’t. I did nothing,” she added.
Following widespread backlash on social media, a WNBA spokesperson addressed the episode Monday and said the interaction “should not have happened.”
“The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts,” the spokesperson said. “This should not have happened.”
The Atlanta Dream also issued a statement distancing the team from the security response and criticizing what took place inside the arena.
MORE STORY: Scores of Teens Erupt in Violent Brawl at Wisconsin State Fair
“The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night’s game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in decisions made by the WNBA security,” the team said in a statement shared on social media.
Speaking with ESPN recently, Sophie Cunningham expressed support for keeping biological men out of women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham told ESPN.
“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,” she added.
Her comments sparked severe backlash from the online left, prompting her to double down in a press conference.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense, and I think I will always believe in that. “I think it’s really important to protect children.” “
“I don’t dislike anyone,” she added. ” I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women.”
