The 30th season for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been nothing short of phenomenal. Records continue to be broken and the fan base has increased significantly, with the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game having almost 20 thousand fans in the crowd.
It was the largest crowd in the event’s history, according to Forbes. It surpassed the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) previous All-Star Game record from 2007 and even had more fans in attendance than the NBA All-Star Game this year.
But unfortunately, even with these accomplishments, misogyny finds its way back into the headlines and remains a relentless issue for WNBA players and women globally.
During this WNBA season and under the current administration, conservatives continue to disguise their misogyny with blatant transphobia.
What has seemingly sparked this debate or more specifically, who, is Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
In July, Cunningham told ESPN, “…I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Mind you, there is not a single transgender athlete playing in major U.S. professional team sports leagues.
Honestly, it seems as though Cunningham knows her statistics aren’t going to make headlines, so instead she chooses controversy. I mean, if you truly believe “all publicity is good publicity.”
Cunningham’s comment has only ignited transphobic fans to protest outside of Indiana Fever games. But what are you even protesting if there aren’t any trans women playing the game you are standing outside of? If anything, the problem created itself when former NBA players have come out saying they’ll enter the 2027 WNBA draft if trans women are allowed. Wow! What a shocker! Men were the problem the whole time; who would have thought that?
It would be one thing if an actual trans woman was trying to play in the WNBA, but that’s not the case. Instead, we have two cisgender men claiming they’ll identify as a woman so they can enter the draft. One of whom, Enes Kanter Freedom, actually attended a Chicago Sky v. Indiana Fever game wearing a shirt that defined a woman as “adult human female”. Not really sure how that can be seen as wanting to protect women… Especially when that same man is basically threatening to join the WNBA.
Transphobia is simply a ruse to put all women down, whether or not they were assigned female at birth or assigned male at birth. You are not protecting women by protesting at their games; you are only tearing down the positive queer culture the league has built over 30 years.
I seriously think there are bigger problems than the concept of a trans woman playing basketball.
On the positive side many players and coaches are emphasizing their support towards trans people. Gabby Williams, a forward for the Golden State Valkyries, spoke in a post-practice interview, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime. I don’t think it’s a problem in the world. It’s just another way to kind of attack trans people.”
Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson posted photos on Instagram of her tunnel fit before their game against Indiana where she wore a tank top that said, “TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.”
While I could name every WNBA player who has come out in support, the list would go on and on. So lastly I’d like to point out Natasha Cloud, Chicago Sky guard, who after scoring a basket, got into a heated exchange with the former NBA player wearing his stupid shirt. Which is what led to him getting kicked out of the Aug. 23 game.
The following Monday, Cloud posted to Threads, “To every trans kid/person, you are a part of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re as perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me.”
Regardless of protestors, misogynists and transphobes trying to tear the WNBA down, I know many players will continue making history, fighting back on and off the court.
Madelyn Marabella can be contacted at
mmarabella@kscequinox.com
