INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham doubled down Wednesday on feedback she made in a not too long ago printed ESPN article, saying it’s “common sense” to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
In the ESPN article, Cunningham stated she wished to “protect young girls in the locker room” and that “they shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham stated earlier than Wednesday’s house recreation towards the Connecticut Sun. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
The participation of transgender athletes in sports has grow to be an more and more politicized difficulty, with the Supreme Court recently upholding individual state bans on trans athletes competing in sports alongside cisgender athletes. The ruling got here roughly a yr after President Donald Trump issued an govt order trying to block trans athletes from competing in women’ and women’s sports.
Cunningham added that she’s “not a very political person,” however her morals compelled her to converse out. She additionally acknowledged that her stance on trans athletes will not be indicative of which facet of the political aisle she falls on.
Cunningham famous the significance of Title IX, a gender equality legislation handed in 1972 that prohibits intercourse discrimination in academic packages that obtain federal funding. The groundbreaking legislation is credited with exponentially rising participation in women’ and women’s sports within the U.S.
“That’s why you have Title IX. That’s why you have some of the greats in women’s sports,” Cunningham stated. “If Title IX and women’s sports weren’t protected, then you wouldn’t hear about any type of women in sport. And so, I think in the future, it’s just really important to protect.”
Asked if she thought her feedback might be considered as derogatory towards trans athletes, Cunningham stated she doesn’t “dislike anyone” and there’s “room to love everyone.”
“But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected,” Cunningham continued. “And, like I said, I’m gonna stand true to that. I’ll never falter in my beliefs in that. But I have never once stated that I hated the trans community.”
The Fever launched a press release shortly after Cunningham’s pregame feedback that inspired inclusivity amongst its fanbase. The franchise has frequently held Pride nights to have fun the LGBTQ+ group.
“Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own,” the Fever stated of their assertion. “We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”
Cunningham is in her second season with the Fever. She was acquired through a commerce with the Phoenix Mercury in February 2025 and re-signed with Indiana on a one-year deal in April. Cunningham was averaging 9.4 factors per recreation and taking pictures a career-high 43.7 % on 3-pointers coming into Wednesday’s contest.