SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SAYS RALLIES NOT DISTRACTING FEVER

Sophie Cunningham said she is unconcerned that rallies against transgender participation in women's sports have accompanied Indiana Fever games in recent days. Cunningham made the comments before the Fever's game on Friday against the Portland Fire, where supporters gathered outside the venue for the second consecutive match. The Indiana player stated that the rallies do not distract her or her teammates, adding that she remains focused on playing basketball and being herself regardless of whether people agree with her position.

Rallies in support of Cunningham's recent comments on transgender athletes occurred before Fever games in Seattle against the Storm and Portland against the Fire. Both rallies attracted approximately two dozen participants along with onlookers. Cunningham said she had no involvement in organising the events, characterising them as people exercising freedom of speech. A further rally was scheduled for Sunday in Minneapolis when the Fever played the Minnesota Lynx. In Seattle, two Cunningham supporters held signs whilst seated courtside at Climate Change Arena, though accounts differ on whether this occurred on Monday or Tuesday.

The Seattle incident prompted action from the Storm ownership. A co-owner of the Storm, Celeste Keaton, was fined an undisclosed amount and suspended for five games by the WNBA following an exchange with the two supporters. The Storm issued a statement apologising for the incident but did not provide details of the exchange itself, stating that it remained "committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for anyone who attends a Storm game". One of the Seattle rallies promoted a statewide ballot initiative that would bar transgender students from participating in girls' athletics at Washington schools.