WNBA Says Fans Should Have Been Free to Wear Shirts with Messaging About Transgender Issue
The league said fans should have been free to wear the shirts after security asked a Georgia mother and daughter to cover them.
- On Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, WNBA security at State Farm Arena in Atlanta forced Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie to cover up "XX-XY" shirts during the Indiana Fever victory over the Atlanta Dream.
- The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions regarding transgender athletes; less than three weeks ago, the WNBA suspended Seattle Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton for confronting fans wearing similar gear supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
- In a video posted online, Thomason explained they were forced to cover their shirts after spending more than $1,000 on tickets. The shirts are from XX-XY Athletics, founded by Jennifer Sey, which bills itself as "here to protect women's sports and spaces."
- The WNBA stated Monday that fans should have been free to wear the shirts, while the Dream clarified that team personnel were not involved in security decisions, noting actions "fell short" of safety standards.
- While the collective bargaining agreement restricts the league to women, it lacks specific language on gender identity. The WNBA recently denounced hate and bad-faith efforts to marginalize others following an anti-hate task force meeting held earlier this month.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Sophie Cunningham Fans Confronted by Arena Security for Wearing Shirt With Controversial Message About Trans
A mother and daughter who attended an Indiana Fever game to support Sophie Cunningham are making headlines. The pair sparked a fresh controversy after they claimed they were ordered by security to cover up their 'XX-XY' T-shirts or leave the arena. The incident took place during the Fever's game against the Atlanta Dream in Atlanta on Sunday, as the debate surrounding transgender participation in women's sport continued to spill into the WNBA st…
Because Sophie Cunningham has positioned herself against trans women in women's sports, the Indiana Fever's games are protesting. Now, security forces asked two fans to hide inscriptions on their T-shirts.
Fans Wearing Shirts Supporting Sophie Cunningham's Comments About ‘Protecting Little Girls’ From Youth Trans Athletes Were Threatened With Ejection By WNBA Security
The WNBA has found itself at the center of controversy once again. Over the weekend, a mother and daughter duo wearing XX-XY shirts to support Sophie Cunningham and her comments to keep trans athletes out of women’s sports were threatened with ejection by security at the Indiana Fever-Atlanta Dream game. According to the mother, security […] The post Fans Wearing Shirts Supporting Sophie Cunningham’s Comments About ‘Protecting Little Girls’ From…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
