Enes Kanter’s appearance and subsequent removal from the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky game on Sunday led to some WNBA fans criticising Sophie Cunningham.
Fever guard Cunningham played just 10 minutes in the Fever’s 110-93 win over the Sky, finishing with a -10 plus/minus and three points.
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Despite her anonymity on the court and lack of media comments before or after the game, many fans think she should take the blame for the incident between Enes Kanter and Sky guard Natasha Cloud, which ended with Kanter being removed from the building.
Fans think Sophie Cunningham should face the consequences of what she started
The debate over trans athletes in the WNBA started with Cunningham’s comments on protecting biological women in sports. Despite trans athletes never coming close to the WNBA, it’s become the leading topic in all of women’s sports over the last month because of Cunningham.
“Multiple WNBA players and the league itself have been under attack for over a month, and Sophie Cunningham is at the center of it,” said one WNBA reporter and longtime fan.
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“This league has let Sophie Cunningham destroy what was supposed to be an inclusive environment, but Cloud’s willingness to fight against that is refreshing,” said one fan after the Kanter incident.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
“Sophie Cunningham has done irreparable damage to the league and deserves to be banned for life,” said a fan calling for a lifetime ban, a rather aggressive punishment.
“Cunningham needs to be asked targeted questions about this until she takes accountability for what she’s brought to the league,” said another fan.
“The shirt he is wearing explains it all. It’s the Sophie Cunningham effect. Honestly, it’s disgusting to see how there’s so much hate lately. Whichever team faces the Indiana Fever, there are rallies related to hating the trans community, and it’s unacceptable,” exclaimed one fan.
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“This is on Sophie Cunningham, and I will not be explaining any further,” said another WNBA reporter.
What happened with Enes Kanter at the recent Indiana Fever game?
Kanter attended the Fever vs. Sky game at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Sunday, August 23. Kanter wore a black T-shirt with a definition of a woman on it and sat courtside for the game.
He was sharing live updates of his experience on social media, from being accosted by fans outside the arena to attending an XX-XY rally against trans inclusion in the WNBA.
The 34-year-old center was watching when Cloud aimed some words at him after a tough layup, with Kanter responding by egging her on, which led to him being removed from the arena.
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Kanter is now claiming that Cloud’s action proves that ‘women don’t support women.’ This is a tongue-in-cheek assertion because of his aspirations as a 2027 WNBA Draftee, identifying himself as a woman.
Cunningham was not anywhere near this incident when it happened, but the fact that the genesis of all of this was her comments against trans athletes in July has many fans resentful.
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