The Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream locked horns in front of 17,000+ fans in one of the most anticipated games of the week, but a couple of t-shirts made the night about something else entirely. While the matchup gave fans a thrilling overtime win for the Fever, the conversation centered around the two Sophie Cunningham fans whose t-shirts caused a big stir for WNBA security. The game was held at State Farm Arena, the home stadium for the Dream, but they pushed the blame on WNBA personnel.

A mother and her daughter, who showed up at State Farm Arena in XX-XY Athletics apparel, were instructed by arena security to cover up. Reports of the incident broke across the internet, with the league now facing plenty of backlash. The Dream franchise has denied involvement, pointing toward WNBA security instead per an official statement on X.

“The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night’s game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security.”

The Dream concluded its statement by restating the WNBA’s previous statement on the matter.

“The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened.”

The Dream’s official website includes a statement about “signs, apparel, or gestures with discriminatory or hateful messages” being banned in the arenas, but none of that seemed to be violated by the fans wearing XX-XY t-shirts.

XX-XY isn’t just a reference to chromosomes. These particular shirts were merchandise from XX-XY Athletics, a company whose aim is “supporting women’s sports and spaces,” per their website. Former artistic gymnast Jennifer Sey founded the brand, which has received support from athletes like Riley Gaines and the Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

After Cunningham received heavy backlash for her comments about protecting “young girls in sport,” these shirts have also become a familiar sight among crowds gathering outside and inside Fever road games to show their support for her.

But even though the WNBA has acknowledged that fans should not have been asked to cover the shirts, this incident wasn’t the first controversy around Sophie Cunningham fans.

During a game between the Fever and the Seattle Storm on July 28, two young Cunningham fans, who were sitting courtside wearing XX-XY shirts and holding signs thanking Sophie Cunningham “for speaking up for girls!”, were approached by Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton and criticized for their signs and shirts.

In the past few weeks, a league that should be all about basketball has been dominated by conversations that have little to do with the sport. And with this latest incident, the conversation is far from over, as Sey has already announced her plans for August 22.

Sophie Cunningham Supporters Eye New York Matchup

Jennifer Sey isn’t backing away from the movement surrounding Cunningham. Instead, the XX-XY Athletics founder has already announced where supporters will gather next.

Sey revealed that she plans to attend the Indiana Fever’s August 22 matchup against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with a group of supporters, as she announced on X.

“I will be attending the NY Liberty vs Indiana Fever game on August 22 at Barclay’s in NY. I’ve got a group I’ll be attending with. I suggest everyone wear their @xx_xyathletics shirts. @barclayscenter — we are coming. In love and truth. And XX-XY Athletics tees.”

The announcement comes just hours after the controversy in Atlanta and adds another layer to an issue that has increasingly followed Sophie Cunningham and the Fever wherever they go.

Although Cunningham has made it clear in the past that she just wants to focus on playing basketball, the conversation around her comments about trans athletes in women’s sports has spiraled to a point where an end to it doesn’t seem anywhere in sight.