The social politics involving the WNBA have received just as much, if not more, coverage than the actual basketball being played by some outlets and news stations. Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham has catapulted into “Stardom” after her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she told ESPN. “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.”
Since the feature was published on July 21, many conservative-leaning fans, pundits, and outlets have become some of Cunningham’s staunchest supporters. One of those supporters, Fox Sports journalist Kaylee McGhee White, believes that Cunningham’s teammate, Caitlin Clark, could learn a thing or two about how to be a better role model from Cunningham.
“Maybe Caitlin Clark is the better athlete, but Sophie Cunningham is definitely the better role model for young women. It is not just about ‘women’s sports are for women.’ It is about whether we as a sex have our own right to our own individual spaces,” White said in a recent interview.
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“The reason you have success in this career is because you are a woman playing on a women’s team. That is not something to be ashamed of.”
White added, “Part of me understands that people like Caitlin Clark don’t want to get involved in this debate because you look at what’s happening with Sophie. You look at the blowback, you look at the physical violence that she’s faced on the court, and you look at harassment. You almost understand why this is happening. But here’s what I want to say to Caitlin Clark: you’re already involved in this debate whether you like it or not.”
White is referring to Clark’s decision not to weigh in on the transgender athlete debate, which many conservatives felt was a betrayal. However, what White may not realize is that even Cunningham herself has called for the focus to return to the basketball being played nightly, which is at the highest level it has ever reached. The sooner that happens the better for the WNBA, and also the young fans who follow it.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.