07/29/26 02:32:00
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07/29 14:31 CDT Fever do not answer questions about pro-Cunningham rally ahead
of 105-95 win against Storm
Fever do not answer questions about pro-Cunningham rally ahead of 105-95 win
against Storm
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark were not made available to
answer postgame questions about a rally before the Indiana Fever's 105-95 win
over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in support of Cunningham's recent
comments about transgender athletes.
A crowd of a few dozen gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to both support
Cunningham and promote statewide Initiatives IL26-638 and IL26-001, which would
bar transgender students from participating in girls' athletics at Washington
schools.
Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls'
and women's sports in an ESPN article published last week. Cunningham was booed
by Storm fans when she checked into Tuesday's game, as well as when attempting
her first free throws of the night.
Media members asked to speak to Cunningham and Clark postgame, but neither
player was made available. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the
media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.
When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham's recent comments, a Fever
public relations representative intervened with the following statement:
"Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration
and no contact with its organizers," the statement said. "Our only goal as a
team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans
for life, and we are united in that mission."
Storm head coach Sonia Raman answered a question about the pregame protest
following her team's seventh consecutive loss.
"Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area
where people feel welcome coming into this building," Raman said. "I think
we've always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was
working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that
everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.
"From what I understand, that was successful."
Heather Weiner, a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State, a coalition of
doctors, nurses, anti-domestic violence groups and other community
organizations opposing statewide Initiatives 638 and 001, found it to be a
positive experience on the whole outside Climate Pledge Arena.
"Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place," Weiner said. "We don't
always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about
that."
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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