Sophie Cunningham supporters rally outside Liberty-Fever game with 'Save Women's Sports' signs

Sophie Cunningham has encountered boos and criticism at various points, while protests and other public displays of reaction have also emerged.

Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 04:14:55 IST

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The Indiana Fever have travelled to New York for Saturday night’s matchup against the Liberty, with the team focused on securing a win. However, one player has remained at the center of attention in recent weeks following her comments.

Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports and its place within the WNBA.

Since her remarks, Cunningham has faced criticism as well as support from fans across social media. Ahead of the Fever’s matchup against the Liberty, however, she received a notable show of support that extended beyond the online space.

Cunningham draws show of support

This time, supporters made their presence felt in person, with people gathering outside Barclays Center before Saturday night’s game.

A large crowd gathered in support of Cunningham and women’s sports, carrying banners and signs expressing their backing for the Fever guard. Some supporters held messages of appreciation, including one placard that read, “Thank you, Sophie.”

The gathering effectively turned into a show of support for the 30-year-old Fever guard, coming amid weeks of controversy and public discussion surrounding her comments.

Interestingly, as supporters gathered outside Barclays Center to rally behind Cunningham, a separate pro-transgender demonstration was taking place just across the street, as per a New York Post tweet on X.

Cunningham’s firm stance

Cunningham made her position clear last month when she said she wanted “biological men” to be kept out of women’s sports and locker rooms.

Her comments quickly made the Fever guard one of the more divisive figures in the WNBA, drawing criticism from portions of the fan base and some fellow players while sparking widespread discussion across social media.

Cunningham name blocked on Reddit

The controversy took another unexpected turn on Cunningham’s 30th birthday, when a fan reportedly noticed that posts referencing her name were being blocked within Reddit’s r/WNBA community.

A Reddit user tried posting a birthday message for Cunningham that read “Happy Birthday Sophie,” but the post was reportedly blocked with a notification stating, “This community doesn’t allow ‘Sophie’ in post titles.”

That incident became another chapter in the backlash Cunningham has faced since making her remarks. She has encountered boos and criticism at various points, while protests and other public displays of reaction have also emerged around the controversy.

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