Fans of Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham held a rally outside the Seattle Storm game on Tuesday, July 29th, 2026, to celebrate Cunningham's public stance supporting women's sports. The crowd displayed signs with messages such as "Thank you Sophie," and quotes from Cunningham including "I said what I said," and "with love is truth," reflecting her views on the issue.

Activist Jean Chadbourne told Fox News Digital, "We proved to the world that women can gather publicly and support female athletes." Despite facing online threats, supporters reported a positive atmosphere and believe public opinion is gradually shifting. "It's clear that the tide is turning. People are slowly coming around. I think Sophie really helped pushed this issue," one supporter said.

Cunningham addressed criticism, stating, "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that.'" She emphasized her intent to "extend love" while also being honest about protecting young girls in sports from competing against biological men.

The rally followed Cunningham's revelation last Tuesday of her stance on trans athletes in women's sports during an ESPN interview, which stirred significant discussion within the ongoing cultural debate surrounding the WNBA.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly expressed support for Cunningham during a briefing. The event and Cunningham's position have been noted in federal government actions related to Title IX enforcement and covered by major media outlets.

The rally was marked by a strong presence of supporters who reportedly outnumbered counterprotesters by a ratio of 10 to 1, with many eager to take photos with a large poster of Cunningham. The gathering was organized with assistance from the group Women Are Real.

Sources