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Fever Distance Themselves From ‘Support Sophie’ Rally as Postgame Backlash Grows

The team’s prepared statement and limited player access have intensified questions about venue security, reporter harassment, and the WNBA’s role in managing political demonstrations.

Overview

  • A small pregame “Support Sophie” rally outside Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, July 28 promoted Washington initiatives that would bar transgender students from girls’ sports and drew a crowd described as a few dozen.
  • Indiana Fever officials read a prepared statement at the postgame press conference saying neither the team nor Sophie Cunningham had contact with rally organizers and that the organization was united on its mission.
  • Reporters who criticized the rally reported receiving abusive messages after the game and one reporter, Roberta Rodrigues, publicly shared hate mail she received.
  • An allegation that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed at and upset two teen fans holding pro-Cunningham signs has escalated scrutiny of in-arena security and how venue staff handled the incident.
  • On the court the Fever won 105-95, with Caitlin Clark scoring 32 and Kelsey Mitchell 28, but the team also dealt with Aliyah Boston leaving the game with a lower-right-leg injury and continued criticism for shielding players from non-basketball questions.