Sophie Cunningham has finally broken her silence following the Seattle Storm’s public apology for the conduct of minority co-owner Celeste Keaton. Cunningham described the incident as “truly embarrassing” and praised the teenage fans involved for standing firm in their beliefs.
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“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” Cunningham wrote in a post on X. “Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon 💕 yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.”
The confrontation occurred on July 28 during Seattle’s home loss to the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena. Two teenage girls seated courtside wore XX-XY Athletics shirts and held signs thanking Sophie Cunningham for her stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports. They held handmade signs reading “Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls.”
Celeste Keaton, however, did not appear to welcome the message those signs were sending. She reportedly confronted them with expletives, leaving the girls shaken and in tears.
The fallout was immediate. The WNBA fined Keaton and suspended her from attending the next five Storm home games. On July 29, majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a formal apology through team channels, acknowledging the incident and expressing regret.
Despite the apology, Cunningham made it clear she is not satisfied with how the situation unfolded. She said Keaton’s behavior reflected poorly on her leadership and reiterated that differences of opinion should never escalate into aggression, especially toward minors.
Her reaction also reinforced her earlier ESPN comments opposing transgender women competing in female sports. At the time, she had responded to criticism by saying simply, “I said what I said.”
This latest statement shows she remains firm in her position while also defending the teenagers who supported her.
Journalist Calls for Direct Accountability
Independent journalist Brandi Kruse, who first reported the confrontation and interviewed the two girls, argued that the apology issued by the Storm was insufficient. In her view, accountability requires Keaton herself to apologize directly to the teenagers she confronted. Kruse wrote on Facebook that she would even help arrange such an apology.
“I appreciate the Seattle Storm issuing this apology. But the apology needs to come from Celeste Keaton to the girls directly,” Kruse wrote in a post on Facebook. “I am happy to arrange.”
Whether Keaton will personally address the girls remains uncertain. The league has already imposed penalties, and the Storm’s majority ownership has spoken. But for Kruse and others following the story, the matter feels unresolved until the girls hear directly from the person who made them cry.