Sophie Cunningham is not backing down.
The Indiana Fever guard doubled down Wednesday on her opposition to transgender athletes competing against biological women and girls, calling her position “common sense” after it ignited a fierce debate across the WNBA world.
“I said what I said, I think it’s common sense,” Cunningham told reporters before the Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun. “I think I’ll always believe in that, it’s really important to protect children. And that’s little girls, who are also involved in that category. I stand by what I said and I’ll always believe that.”
Breaking Alerts
Don't miss the stories that matter.
Get Sean's breaking news alerts — free, direct to your inbox.
The 29-year-old WNBA veteran first addressed the issue in a wide-ranging ESPN interview published Tuesday.
Cunningham said critics had accused her of hostility toward transgender people after she argued that girls should not be expected to compete against athletes she described as biological men.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham told ESPN.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cunningham rejected the idea that defending sex-based protections requires excluding or attacking transgender people. She said there should be room for everyone while maintaining that biological women also have rights that deserve protection.
“I extend love, I don’t dislike anyone, I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here,” she said. “I think there’s room to love everyone. I truly think when you get people in the same room, you actually have a lot in common with a lot of people. … But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think there are rights that need to be protected.”
The remarks placed Cunningham in the middle of one of the most combustible debates in American sports. But while some online commentators have labeled her “MAGA Barbie,” the Fever player said that nickname does not accurately describe her politics.
Cunningham said she does not view herself as deeply political and instead tries to follow a set of personal principles. She also rejected the idea that her beliefs fit neatly into either party’s platform.
“I’m very much in the middle,” she told ESPN. “I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs.”
Cunningham’s message was unmistakable: She does not accept the claim that her position is hateful, and she will not retreat because it generated controversy.
The critics wanted a walk-back. Cunningham gave them a double-down.
FEVER PITCH: Cunningham Stands by Trans Athlete Comments — 'I Said What I Said' [WATCH]
Sophie Cunningham is not backing down.
The Indiana Fever guard doubled down Wednesday on her opposition to transgender athletes competing against biological women and girls, calling her position “common sense” after it ignited a fierce debate across the WNBA world.
“I said what I said, I think it’s common sense,” Cunningham told reporters before the Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun. “I think I’ll always believe in that, it’s really important to protect children. And that’s little girls, who are also involved in that category. I stand by what I said and I’ll always believe that.”
The 29-year-old WNBA veteran first addressed the issue in a wide-ranging ESPN interview published Tuesday.
Cunningham said critics had accused her of hostility toward transgender people after she argued that girls should not be expected to compete against athletes she described as biological men.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham told ESPN.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cunningham rejected the idea that defending sex-based protections requires excluding or attacking transgender people. She said there should be room for everyone while maintaining that biological women also have rights that deserve protection.
“I extend love, I don’t dislike anyone, I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here,” she said. “I think there’s room to love everyone. I truly think when you get people in the same room, you actually have a lot in common with a lot of people. … But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think there are rights that need to be protected.”
The remarks placed Cunningham in the middle of one of the most combustible debates in American sports. But while some online commentators have labeled her “MAGA Barbie,” the Fever player said that nickname does not accurately describe her politics.
Cunningham said she does not view herself as deeply political and instead tries to follow a set of personal principles. She also rejected the idea that her beliefs fit neatly into either party’s platform.
“I’m very much in the middle,” she told ESPN. “I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs.”
Cunningham’s message was unmistakable: She does not accept the claim that her position is hateful, and she will not retreat because it generated controversy.
The critics wanted a walk-back. Cunningham gave them a double-down.
What Do You Think?
Should America withdraw from NATO?
Hot Today
FEVER PITCH: Cunningham Stands by Trans Athlete Comments — 'I Said What I Said' [WATCH]
STAY OUT OR GET HIT: Trump, Rubio Warn Houthis as U.S. Targets Iran [WATCH]
SMITHSONIAN SHOWDOWN: Gill Grills Director Over Claim 'Politeness' is Associated With White Supremacy [WATCH]
NEW EPISODE: Darline Graham’s Story: From Tragedy To The Senate [WATCH]
CLOWN HALL: Fetterman Tells Mamdani to Fix Potholes After Netanyahu Stunt [WATCH]