A Seattle Storm co-owner has been suspended after two girls claim that she yelled and cussed at them for their sign supporting Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham following her comments against transgender women in women’s sports. However, that does not seem to be a popular decision amongst fans.
Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been suspended five games after the incident with the fans on Tuesday night, and the WNBA community was quick to express outrage once the news hit social media.
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Fans ‘Berated’
After Tuesday night’s game, the two teenage fans claimed that they were confronted by a woman identified as Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton, who was “screaming and cussing” at them for their signs supporting Cunningham.
“Well, we were just sitting there with our signs that said like, ‘We love Sophie,’ like, ‘Thank you Sophie for speaking up,'” one of the young girls recounted, via Brandi Kruse. “And so we were holding on, just watching the game, again, like, 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, and this lady, older lady comes up to us.”
According to the teenager, the interaction left her in tears.
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“Yeah, I’ve never been yelled at like that. I mean, I’ve had people hate me on the internet, but like it doesn’t really affect me as much because it’s just people online,” she said. “But that just took me by surprise because I thought she was going to be nice and then she starts like screaming at us and cussing at us.”
Keaton Suspended 5 Games
On Wednesday afternoon, the Storm addressed the situation by releasing a public statement acknowledging the incident and offering an apology.
“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,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement released Wednesday. “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.”
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After the organization’s apology, prominent Indiana Fever reporter Roberta Rodrigues reported that the WNBA had fined Keaton and suspended her from attending the Storm’s next five home games because of the incident.
“Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been fined and suspended from attending the team’s next five home games after last night’s incident involving Fever fans, the WNBA confirmed,” Rodrigues wrote in a post on X.
As a result of the suspension, Keaton will be unable to attend another Storm home game until September.
Fans Express Outrage
Following the decision to suspend Keaton for five games, fans took to social media to express outrage.
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“This league is a joke,” one fan wrote in a post on X.
“Exactly why these fans do what they do. They suffer no repercussions. Free Celeste,” someone else added.
“League picked a side btw… this should tell you everything you need to know,” another fan wrote.
“She did nothing wrong. If they can wear and say what they want, so can she. I think more people should be more cruel to this fanbase live time. Worth the suspension I’m sure,” someone else added.
“Yet still no consequences for maga Cunningham,” another fan added.
“So she in the wrong for defending women?? I’ve seen it all,” someone else commented.
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“And still no ramifications for Sophie?? Yeah this league is a joke,” another fan wrote.
Needless to say, people are not happy about the decision.
The post ‘She did nothing wrong’: WNBA sparks outrage for suspending Storm owner for incident with Sophie Cunningham supporters appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
