Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has spoken out after two teenage fans alleged they were verbally confronted by Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton over a sign supporting the WNBA player.
Posting on X, Cunningham called Keaton’s reported behavior “truly embarrassing” and praised the girls for standing by their beliefs.
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” she wrote.
“Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.”
She also added:
“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.”
The girls said Keaton confronted them over a sign reading, “Thank you, Sophie for speaking up for girls!” and later called them “f—ing insane,” leaving one of them in tears.
According to local reports, the WNBA has since fined Keaton and suspended her for the Storm’s next five home games.
Earlier this month, Cunningham defended her position on transgender athletes in women’s sports, saying her views come from a desire to protect female athletes, not hate.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she said.
“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.”
Sophie Cunningham rips Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton for leaving teen girls in tears amid controversy: ‘Truly embarrassing’ https://t.co/skZ4gQeqvd pic.twitter.com/F3VLP1gXCR
— New York Post (@nypost) July 30, 2026
