Sophie Cunningham doubles down in defense for girls games
Indiana Fever basketball star Sophie Cunningham is boldly reiterating her stance on protecting girls’ sports, insisting it’s “common sense” to protect young children. The White House also hit back, defending Cunningham’s comments.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham received support Friday from Sen. Darline Graham, RS.C., after the WNBA player doubled down this week on her comment that it was “normal” to keep bisexual men out of women’s sports.
In a statement released Friday, Graham thanked Cunningham for speaking publicly about the issue.
“I want to thank Sophie Cunningham for speaking up and make it clear that I couldn’t have agreed to more,” Graham said.
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Sophie Cunningham speaks to members of the media at Player 15 HQ in Phoenix on September 26, 2024. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“It took a lot of courage to say it. It’s sad but it’s true that in today’s world, and especially in this matter, using common sense is normal.”
Graham, a self-described “volleyball mom,” said she knows “how dangerous it is to have boys playing girls’ sports” after years of traveling with her daughter’s team throughout South Carolina and the Southeast.
He also talked about a North Carolina volleyball player who was seriously injured after being hit by a transgender athlete.
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Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, RS.C., participates in the swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the US Capitol on July 14 in Washington, DC. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
“As a mother, we thank Miss Cunningham for speaking up,” Graham said. “I really appreciate you adding your voice to this important debate. Our daughters will benefit from your words and voice.”
Cunningham reiterated his position Wednesday before the Fever’s 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun after first speaking in an ESPN profile earlier this week.
“I said what I said. I think it’s a good idea,” Cunningham told reporters. “And I think I’ll always believe that. I think it’s very important to protect children, and those little girls are involved in that field as well. I stand by what I said.”
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham plays during the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 27, 2026. (Photos by Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn)
Cunningham also said she believes protecting women’s sports is consistent with the intent of Title IX and emphasized that her comments were not directed at transgender people.
“But I also love natural women, and I think there are rights that need to be protected,” said Cunningham. “And, like I said, I’ll stand by the truth on that. I’ll never waver on my beliefs on that. But I’ve never once said that I hate society.”
The Indiana Fever later released a statement saying Cunningham’s opinions were his own.
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“Our players are thinking adults with their own opinions and voices, and those opinions are theirs,” the team said. “We’re committed to welcoming fans of all backgrounds and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what drives us as an organization.”
The debate about transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports has become a hot topic in recent years. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2025 aimed at barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, and the Supreme Court recently allowed state laws barring the participation of transgender athletes to remain in effect as legal challenges continue.
