Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is standing by her comments on transgender participation in women’s sports, saying she has no intention of backing away from a position she believes is rooted in common sense and fairness.
After drawing criticism for stating that biological males should not compete in women’s sports, Cunningham was questioned by reporters about her remarks. Rather than soften her stance, she reiterated it.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said in a video posted on X.
“And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. … I stand on what I said and I will always believe that.”
When asked how she intended to continue advocating for that position, Cunningham said her approach would simply be to remain true to her convictions.
Sophie Cunningham gets grilled by WNBA reporters for saying men shouldn’t be able to play women’s sports. Refuses to back down. “I said what I said.” Eloquently defends women’s sports as woke reporters press her. Love all of this. Well done @sophaller. pic.twitter.com/kUjlt8ZZDH
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 23, 2026
“I do have beliefs. I do have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and be true to who I am,” she said. “People are going to take it how they want to take it.”
Throughout the exchange, Cunningham emphasized that her focus is on preserving opportunities for female athletes.
“When it comes just to protecting women in sports and young girls in sports, I feel very strongly about that,” she said. “I think that’s why you have Title IX.”
Title IX, enacted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and has played a significant role in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls.
Cunningham also rejected the suggestion that her views reflect hostility toward transgender people.
“I extend love, and I don’t dislike anyone,” she said when asked how she would respond to criticism from members of the transgender community.
“I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here, and I think there’s room to love everyone.”
She added that respectful conversations can often reveal more common ground than many people expect.
“I truly think when you get people in the same room, and you have conversations, you actually have a lot in common with a lot of people,” Cunningham said. “And so I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. And I think that there are rights that need to be protected. And like I said, I’m going to stand true to that.”
She further clarified, “I have never once said I hated the trans community.”
In a separate interview with ESPN, Cunningham acknowledged that her position has drawn criticism from multiple directions but said she has no interest in changing her views to satisfy public opinion.
🚨 JUST NOW: Karoline Leavitt FIERCELY defends WNBA star Sophie Cunningham for opposing men in women’s sports
“It’s completely LUDICROUS that anyone could support that.”
“The backlash she is receiving from Democrats and left wing figures across the country is ASTONISHING. They… pic.twitter.com/XfAZXu0xzm
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 23, 2026
“You see so many people change or try to fit into a box,” she said. “I don’t even know what that box is. It’s a fake box. Everyone wants to look the same. Everyone wants the same vibe. Screw that. I’m gonna be me.”
Addressing accusations that she harbors animosity toward transgender individuals, Cunningham again rejected that characterization.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she said.
“I think that I am here to extend love. 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 also described herself as politically independent rather than aligned with either side of the country’s increasingly polarized debates.
“I’m very much in the middle,” she said. “I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”
