This season, almost every Indiana Fever game has come with a storyline that stretches beyond basketball. So as they prepare to face the Portland Fire, the attention isn’t solely on the matchup once again. After everything that unfolded during Indiana’s last game against the Seattle Storm following Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes in women’s sports, the Fever guard’s supporters have planned another rally ahead of Friday’s game. But the Fire appear determined to prevent a repeat of the scenes in Seattle as they announce new event guidelines before tipoff.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“The Portland Fire are aware of the ‘Sophie Cunningham rally’ and seem to be ‘taking extra measures to make sure fans feel supported and safe’ at tomorrow’s game,” reporter Eddie Perez wrote on X before sharing another update.
“The Portland Fire have officially announced in a recent email, ‘content must be directly related to the event. Flags are not allowed.’ Seems like the Fire aren’t okay with having fans wave trans flags or display signs in support of the trans community at tonight’s game,” Perez added.
This decision by the Fire front office comes after the controversy that unfolded in Seattle, where two young Fever fans were confronted by Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton. According to reports, Keaton used profane language during the exchange, prompting the league to step in and suspend her for the team’s next five home games along with an undisclosed fine. So it is not hard to see why Portland is placing such an emphasis on fan safety ahead of their matchup.
Perez also shared that the Fire have informed fans that anyone who feels unsafe during the game should immediately approach a staff member wearing a red shirt. And if they believe their concerns are not being taken seriously, fans have been instructed to visit Membership HQ for additional assistance.
But despite the scrutiny around her remarks, Sophie Cunningham has made it clear that she has no intention of softening her position.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said, doubling down on her take during an interview with the media ahead of a game against the Sun. “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.”
The debate surrounding what Sophie Cunningham said isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, and neither is the attention she’s receiving, with her Instagram following jumping significantly in recent days. So as another “let’s keep the momentum going” rally outside the Moda Center takes shape, the message from the Fire franchise is clear – support who you want, but don’t let it become another Seattle.