Sophie Cunningham entered the Indiana Fever’s game against the Portland Fire on Friday night with a fair share of controversy on her back. Her stance on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports did not earn the support of a section of fans. Many who disagreed had already made thier voice heard during Indiana’s last game against the Seattle Storm, and things only got worse at Portland, leading Cunningham to respond during the game.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“Sophie Cunningham getting HEAVILY BOOED in Portland…” wrote Brick Center, who uploaded the clip of Cunningham hitting back at the crowd that had been booing her by knocking down a three-pointer with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.
“Sophie Cunningham knocks in the three and let the crowd know about it,” said the broadcast as the cameras panned to Cunningham holding up her signature three-pointer gesture at the booing crowd.
Sophie Cunningham’s opposition to transgender athletes participating in women’s sports has now more or less turned recent Indiana Fever road games into a flashpoint for fans on both sides of the argument.
During the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, rallies were held by supporters and opponents outside Climate Pledge Arena. There were fans inside the arena who brought signs to publicly show their support, as well as fans who held up signs showing their disagreement.
Ahead of Friday’s game against the Portland Fire, they also held rallies in Sophie Cunningham‘s support outside Portland’s Moda Center. Counter-protesters gathered as well to demonstrate their opposition to her stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
However, neither Sophie Cunningham nor the Indiana Fever have stated any affiliation with these rallies. If anything, the Fever have even released a statement officially distancing themselves from the demonstrations.
However, that hasn’t discouraged fans. With another rally planned for August 1 when the Fever take on league leaders Minnesota Lynx, it won’t be surprising to see something similar from the crowd before and during the games.
In the midst of all this, Sophie Cunningham has managed to remain locked in. She continues to play an important role in what has now become a strong winning run for the Fever. Against the Seattle Storm, she logged 24 minutes. The 29-year-old finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists to help Indiana secure a 105-95 victory. Against Portland, she played 27 minutes, contributing 13 points, three assists, and two steals in the Fever’s 112-98 win.
With the victory, the Indiana Fever are now riding a five-game winning streak. They next face the Minnesota Lynx, once again on the road. Hopefully, that game will not prove to be another hostile environment for Sophie Cunningham. But so far, whether the atmosphere has been hostile or not, it does not seem to be throwing her off her game.