Amid increasing discussion about transgender athletes following comments made by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) is speaking out. The union released a statement on Friday embracing the inclusion of all groups and denouncing hate.
“To everyone who loves this game: The WNBPA represents 200+ individual people with different lived experiences, cultures, lifestyles, and opinions,” the union wrote in the statement. “We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change.
“Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
The WNBPA also encouraged fans to support players and fans at games by reporting abuse in person and on the internet. It also encouraged support of Title IX, a landmark amendment that is the bedrock of women’s sports, especially at the collegiate level.
“Support the Players. Support the Fans. At games, notify security if you witness hateful, violent, or abusive behavior. Online, report abusive posts and drown out the bots and bad actors. At home, tell your elected officials to strengthen Title IX,” the statement added.
The current discourse stems from comments Cunningham made in an ESPN feature in July. Several demonstrations have taken place outside Fever away games since then, though Indiana has said that it does not have any connection to those who planned the rallies. A minority owner of the Seattle Storm was suspended five games after a verbal confrontation with two Cunningham fans wearing shirts from a brand advocating against the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports.
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Players have largely not engaged in the discussion, including her teammate Caitlin Clark, but several coaches started speaking on the issue this week. Ahead of a game against the Fever on Sunday, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve advocated for the WNBA to be “a safe space for everyone” and wore a shirt that read “Trans Kids Belong” during the game. Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and forward Gabby Williams are among those who have further expressed support for inclusivity.
After initially doubling down on her comments, Cunningham has this week called the conversation a “distraction” and has asked the media to focus on basketball.
