Supporters of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham gathered outside Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night to rally behind her recent comments opposing transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
Dozens of demonstrators assembled before the Fever’s 105-95 win over the Seattle Storm, waving signs and backing Washington ballot initiatives that would ban transgender students from participating in girls’ school sports.
The rally came days after Cunningham publicly voiced support for restricting transgender girls and women from competing in female sports in an interview with ESPN.
Inside the arena, Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she entered the game and again during her first free-throw attempts.
Neither Cunningham nor teammate Caitlin Clark spoke to reporters after the game despite media requests.
When asked about the demonstration, the Fever issued a statement through a team spokesperson saying neither the organization nor Cunningham had any prior knowledge of the rally.
“We proved to the world that women can gather publicly and support female athletes,” protester Jean Chadbourne told Fox News Digital.
”We outnumbered the TRAs 10 to 1 and a very positive vibe. Everyone wanted their picture taken with the giant Sophie poster,” another activist told the network when asked about a counter-protest.
While the organizer of the rally, Julie Lane, said, “Despite the online threats, we showed up and had a great time. It’s clear that the tide is turning. People are slowly coming around. I think Sophie really helped pushed this issue.”
“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,” the team’s statement said. “Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”
Seattle Storm coach Sonia Raman said arena officials worked with security to ensure everyone attending the game felt safe and welcome.
“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman said. “From what I understand, that was successful.”
The rally also drew counterprotesters. Heather Weiner, a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State, a coalition opposing the proposed ballot initiatives, said the atmosphere outside the arena remained largely peaceful.
“Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place,” Weiner said. “We don’t always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about that.”
