Sophie Cunningham doubles down on defense of girls’ sports
Indiana Fever basketball star Sophie Cunningham boldly reiterates her stance on protecting girls’ sports, emphasizing that it’s “common sense” to protect young children. The White House also weighed in, defending Cunningham’s comments.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham received support Friday from Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., after the WNBA player doubled down this week on her comments that it is “common sense” to keep biological males out of women’s sports.
In a statement released Friday, Graham thanked Cunningham for speaking publicly on the issue.
“I want to thank Sophie Cunningham for speaking out and make it clear that I could not agree more,” Graham said.
Sophie Cunningham speaks to members of the media at Player 15 HQ in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2024. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“What she said took a lot of guts. It’s sad but true that in today’s world, and particularly on this issue, common sense is not common.”
Graham, who described herself as a “volleyball mom,” said she knows “how dangerous it is to have boys playing in girls’ sports” after years of traveling with her daughter’s team throughout South Carolina and the Southeast.
She also referenced a North Carolina high school volleyball player who was seriously injured after being struck by a hit from a transgender athlete.
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Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, R-S.C., participates in a ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on July 14 in Washington, DC. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
“As a mother, thank you to Miss Cunningham for speaking out,” Graham said. “I truly appreciate you adding your voice to this important debate. Our daughters will be the ones who benefit from your words and voice.”
Cunningham reiterated her position Wednesday before the Fever’s 123-88 victory over the Connecticut Sun after first making the remarks in an ESPN profile earlier this week.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham told reporters. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham plays in the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 27, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Cunningham also said she believes protecting women’s sports is consistent with the intent of Title IX and maintained that her comments were not directed against transgender people.
“But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected,” Cunningham said. “And, like I said, I’m gonna stand true to that. I’ll never falter in my beliefs in that. But I have never once stated that I hated the trans community.”
The Indiana Fever later released a statement saying Cunningham’s views are her own.
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“Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own,” the team said. “We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”
The debate over transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports has become a major issue 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, while the Supreme Court recently allowed state laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation to remain in effect as legal challenges continue.