Sophie Cunningham Doubles Down on Trans Athlete Comments: ‘Common Sense’

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is standing firm on her comments about transgender athletes in women’s sports, telling reporters Wednesday that her position is simply “common sense”. The 29-year-old was responding to an ESPN profile published Tuesday, where she said she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men”.

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said before Indiana’s 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun. “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, and I will always believe that”.

Cunningham pushed back against being labeled political, claiming she’s “very much in the middle” and holds beliefs on both sides of the aisle. She also made it clear her stance isn’t rooted in hate. “I extend love, I don’t dislike anyone,” she said. “I think there is room for absolutely everyone here… But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected”.