Sophie Cunningham shows the WNBA isn’t prepared to handle astroturfed, anti-trans protests

This story originally appeared on Them.

After allegedly taking two transphobes to task, one of the co-owners of the Seattle Storm has been fined and suspended from attending the WNBA team’s next five home games.

On Tuesday, anti-trans protestors staged a rally both inside and outside of the Climate Pledge Arena in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who recently made anti-trans comments in an ESPN profile, referring to trans women as “biological men” and claiming that she wanted to “protect young girls in a locker room.” Though the rally outside was sparsely attended — reportedly only drawing a few dozen people at most — the protest continued inside the arena during the Storm’s game against the Fever, with two teenage courtside attendees holding a sign that said “Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls,” and wearing T-shirts advertising the anti-trans organization XX-XY Athletics.

It’s worth noting that, per right-wing influencer Brandi Kruse, who was one of the organizers of the rally, the girls’ seats were $1,300 a piece, and paid for by “a generous donor” — a potential astroturfing red flag. (See also: the recent failed attempt to get an anti-trans sports referendum on the ballot in Maine, which was reportedly bankrolled by GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein, who lives in Illinois.) Astroturfing as a practice refers to the use of external funding and support to simulate the appearance of a grassroots movement.

In a video with the courtside protestors posted by Kruse, the girls claimed that a woman yelled at them for holding up the signs and called them “f**king insane.” Kruse identified the woman who allegedly yelled at them as Celeste Keaton; according to The Sporting News, she is the wife of Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel, and is thus subject to discipline by the WNBA. Per The Seattle Times, the WNBA has fined Keaton an undisclosed amount and suspended her from attending the team’s next five home games.

In a statement to the Seattle Times and other media outlets, Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said, “We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”

Cunningham also took to social media to address the controversy, posting to X, “I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.” She additionally lauded the two teenagers “for standing up for what they believe,” and said, “You’ll be hearing from me soon.”

“Truly embarrassing of the co-owner,” Cunningham concluded. “Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.”

(If any of this is sounding familiar to you, see also: Riley Gaines, the former college swimmer who became a mouthpiece for anti-trans talking points.)

Cunningham, who’s been nicknamed “MAGA Barbie” by some, specifically said in her recent ESPN profile that she wants “to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men,” even though there’s no evidence that trans girls’ participation in sports harm cisgender girls. On the contrary, many, including soccer star Megan Rapinoe, have observed that anti-trans sporting policies cause harm to cis girls as well.

Though the Storm has apologized for Keaton’s conduct, neither the team nor the WNBA have publicly commented on Cunningham’s statements. If the league remains silent, it’s easy to see a near future where the anti-trans right makes WNBA games — which have always been sites of gathering for queer women — into yet another battleground of the culture wars. (Which would, of course, mark the first time conservatives have ever “cared” about women’s sports.) With another rally reportedly planned for the July 31 Fever game against the Portland Thorn, the WNBA will have more decisions to make soon about how to handle anti-trans political protests in and around its games.

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