WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Defends Stance on Women’s Sports Eligibility

WNBA standout Sophie Cunningham has publicly clarified her views on safeguarding women’s athletics following sustained controversy over her previous remarks. Speaking to ESPN, the professional basketball player addressed the divisive issue and pushed back against criticism that she harbors animus toward transgender individuals.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham said. She emphasized that her primary concern centers on protecting young female athletes from competing against individuals with male biological characteristics, while maintaining her commitment to extending compassion toward all people.

Cunningham characterized her perspective as moderate, stating she finds merit in arguments across the political spectrum while disagreeing with positions on both sides. “I’m very much in the middle,” she said, attributing much of the backlash to assumptions rather than her actual statements on political matters.

Her current comments follow significant controversy in March 2022, when Cunningham reshared a tweet from CBS Sports personality Josh Pate criticizing former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas’s participation on the women’s team. The amplification triggered substantial pushback, prompting Cunningham to release a statement affirming her support for all athletes regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Riley Gaines, who tied with Thomas at the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships, called on elite female athletes including Cunningham to unite in support of women’s sports protections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding state laws maintaining sex-based eligibility standards.