Indiana Fever Opponent Wears ‘Trans Rights’ Shirt After Sophie Cunningham’s Anti-Transgender Comments

Sean NeumannWed, July 29, 2026 at 2:55 PM UTC

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Stefanie Dolson, Sophie CunninghamCredit: Maddy Grassy/Getty; Christian Petersen/Getty -

Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson wore a “trans rights” t-shirt prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Indiana Fever

The pointed outfit choice came one week after Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made divisive anti-transgender comments to ESPN

Cunningham’s comments also drew anti-transgender protesters to gather outside the arena prior to Tuesday night’s game

Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson rocked a t-shirt that read “trans rights are human rights” before Tuesday night’s game against the Indiana Fever, days after guard Sophie Cunningham’s anti-transgender comments in an interview with ESPN drew a divisive response online.

Dolson, who came out publicly in 2016 as a member of the LGBTQ community, did not address the outfit decision online but reshared an image of her wearing the shirt first posted by the Storm on Tuesday, July 28. The team captioned the Instagram post with three “speaking head” emojis.

WNBA players and other sports stars have often used clothing during pre-game tunnel walks or on the court during warm-ups to make social or political statements in recent years.

Dolson, a 34-year-old WNBA champion, made the pointed outfit choice exactly one week after Cunningham, 29, drew a split reaction online after telling ESPN she disagrees with transgender athletes being allowed to play women’s sports.

The hot-button issue, which has galvanized conservative support in recent years, also led to a small gathering outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Tuesday night in support of Cunningham and her thoughts.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham told the outlet, addressing why some WNBA fans refer to her as “MAGA Barbie.”

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“I think that I am here to extend love,” Cunningham continued. “But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Cunningham then claimed to ESPN that her politics are “very much in the middle.”

“I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides,” the Fever guard and frequent Caitlin Clark shadow added. “And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”

Sophie CunninghamCredit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty

The Fever did not address questions from the media about the anti-transgender rally sparked by Cunningham’s comments prior to Tuesday night’s game in Seattle, according to the .

When a WNBA reporter asked Fever head coach Stephanie White about anti-transgender pregame rally, a team spokesperson immediately interrupted, stoically read a statement saying the team is “only” focused on winning games, and then directed reporters to only continue asking “basketball questions.”

Cunningham, who was not made available to answer questions after Tuesday night’s game, was booed throughout the contest from the moment she checked into the game, according to ESPN.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”