Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham (8) points during first half WNBA action against the Toronto Tempo in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Fans hold a transgender rights signs during first half WNBA action between the Toronto Tempo and the Indiana Fever in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
TORONTO - Fever guard Sophie Cunningham drew two rounds of boos when she checked into Indiana's game against the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday.
There was a mixed response of boos and cheers as Cunningham got off the visitors' bench and removed her warm-up gear.
When it was announced that she had officially checked into the game for the first time there was a louder round of boos at Scotiabank Arena.
Cunningham has become a political lightning rod since she said in an interview with ESPN that WNBA players shouldn't have to play against "biological men," referring to transgender women.
There are currently no transgender women in the WNBA or playing NCAA women's basketball. There are fewer than 10 openly transgender people among the 500,000 student-athletes competing across all NCAA sports.
The league's collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Last Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft in April, saying they identify as women.
Fans held up small signs and flags supporting transgender people during the game with messages like "Transphobes don't belong in women's sports" and "We (heart) trans athletes."
Another fan held up a blue, pink and white transgender pride flag when Cunningham checked into the game.
About a dozen demonstrators supporting Cunningham held signs and a flag outside Scotiabank Arena before the game.
— With files from The Associated Press.
This report by ɫtvwas first published Aug. 18, 2026.
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