‘So disgusting’: Sophie Cunningham sparks outrage with new comments on trans sports

Two teenage girls claimed that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton shouted and used profanity toward them Tuesday night over signs they brought supporting Sophie Cunningham after her very public opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports. Cunningham has now responded publicly to the incident, but fans are not happy at her continued stance against transgender athletes.

In a statement shared on social media, Cunningham described Keaton’s behavior as “truly embarrassing,” while commending the teenage girls for standing by their beliefs and promising to send them gifts. However, fans were quick to express their displeasure at Cunningham’s latest post.

Keaton Yelled at Cunningham Supporters

Following Tuesday night’s game, the two teenage fans said they were confronted by a woman they identified as Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton, alleging she was “screaming and cussing” at them because of signs expressing support for Cunningham.

“Well, we were just sitting there with our signs that said like, ‘We love Sophie,’ like, ‘Thank you Sophie for speaking up,'” one of the young girls recounted, via Brandi Kruse. “And so we were holding on, just watching the game, again, like, we were being super great, we hadn’t said anything to anyone else, we were being super respectful, we were just holding our signs and cheering for both teams, and this lady, older lady comes up to us.”

According to the teenager, the encounter was so upsetting that it brought her to tears.

“Yeah, I’ve never been yelled at like that. I mean, I’ve had people hate me on the internet, but like it doesn’t really affect me as much because it’s just people online,” she said. “But that just took me by surprise because I thought she was going to be nice and then she starts like screaming at us and cussing at us.”

The Storm responded Wednesday afternoon with a public statement acknowledging the incident and apologizing for what occurred.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement released Wednesday. “Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”

According to a report from Roberta Rodrigues, the WNBA fined Keaton and suspended her from attending the Storm’s next five home games because of the confrontation.

“Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been fined and suspended from attending the team’s next five home games after last night’s incident involving Fever fans, the WNBA confirmed,” Rodrigues wrote in a post on X.

Sophie Cunningham Speaks Out

Although Cunningham did not speak with reporters after Tuesday’s game, she addressed the situation late Wednesday night on social media, describing Keaton’s conduct as “truly embarrassing.”

“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind,” Cunningham wrote in a post on X. “Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon. yay for gifts.”

“Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is,” Cunningham wrote.

Fans Express Outrage

The WNBA’s decision to suspend Keaton drew widespread backlash from fans across social media, and fans were quick to express their outrage at Cunningham after her latest comments.

“This is so disgusting,” one fan wrote in a post on X.

“I know you gotta do your job but I don’t see how black players or any of the players who aren’t bigots can sit in the same locker room as her,” someone else added.

“Those girls weren’t even your fans. they were in seats purchased by anti-trans donors… who DO have a goal of criminalizing all trans folks. and you’re helping them… whether you’re intending to or not. you can look at your replies to see the transphobia that is now using YOU to be their poster child. even using the “men in women’s sports” is a lie. that’s not the issue. no men are trying to be in women’s sports. there are a tiny number of trans women trying to have normal lives but the people cheerleading you are trying to erase them. so you don’t get to claim ignorance and ride the fence here. you either need to take a stand against the anti-trans bullies using you or you need to shut the [expletive] up and be the bigot you are,” another fan commented.

“She’s genuinely an awful person,” another fan wrote.

“You’re making your entire personality this argument about a non-issue because you know it’ll gain you notoriety and know that it’s profitable to grift to the lowest common denominator idiot. What’s the point? Aren’t there like 8 trans people in college sports anyway? Trans people are theater kids not athletes,” someone else said.

“Your narratives are DANGEROUS for lgbtq+ youth,” a fan added.

“‘You can disagree and still be kind’ after drawing the line on your human rights,” someone else said.

“I’m sick to my stomach. And the league will allow this,” another fan wrote.

“You can count on one hand how many transgender athletes there are in America. Women are more danger from straight white men than they are from female transgender athletes. You made a mountain out of a mole hill,” someone else added.

Cunningham is clearly not backing down from her stance, but neither are her critics.

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