Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been fined and suspended from attending the team's next five home games, the WNBA confirmed to Fox News Digital on July 30, 2026.

The disciplinary action follows allegations that Keaton called a pair of teenage fans of Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, "f—ing insane" during a game on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Independent Seattle-based journalist Brandi Kruse, who was present at the game and accompanied the girls, reported the incident to Fox News Digital.

According to Kruse, the girls were wearing XY Athletics gear and were subjected to insults and negative gestures, including thumbs down directed at them. One of the girls was reportedly sobbing by halftime. The girls identified the woman making the comments as Keaton, who was seated near Storm legend and co-owner Sue Bird.

Sophie Cunningham addressed the incident in a repost on X of Fox News Digital's report late Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a statement apologizing for the co-owner's comments during the game.

The Storm organization also released an apology following the incident. The WNBA's response underscores that, as noted by observers, "Had this been any other fan under any other circumstances who swore at and called some teenage girls ‘f---ing insane’ until they cried, they would’ve been ejected."

Sources