USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The WNBA has found itself at the center of controversy once again.
Over the weekend, a mother and daughter duo wearing XX-XY shirts to support Sophie Cunningham and her comments to keep trans athletes out of women’s sports were threatened with ejection by security at the Indiana Fever-Atlanta Dream game. According to the mother, security said they needed to cover up their shirts or would be removed from the game despite having paid over $1k for their tickets.
Via Fox News
About halfway through the five minute overtime period, a security guard tried to get Kasey and Annie to leave their seats to talk to him. They were unsure why they were specifically being targeted at that moment, so Kasey asked him, “[Is it] about our shirts?”
The security guard told them that a fan(s) were offended by their shirts, so they had the choice to wear the provided Atlanta Dream “Wellness & Health Night” shirts, or they would be escorted out of the building. To this, Kasey responded by saying, “Biology and science is offensive?”, before reluctantly agreeing to put the shirts on so they didn’t miss the last two minutes of overtime, where the Indiana Fever eventually secured a 95-91 victory.
WNBA security told 2 fans to cover their “XX/XY” and “For the girls” shirts or LEAVE the Fever-Dream game.
Meanwhile, a “Protect Trans Rights” shirt was featured on the Jumbotron. pic.twitter.com/TstweQoU98
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 17, 2026
The Atlanta Dream released a statement and blamed “WNBA security” for telling the two women to cover up their shirts.
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 WNBA released its own statement admitting fault in 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.”
Reports have emerged of fans allegedly being asked to cover XX-XY Athletics shirts at last night’s Fever vs. Dream game.
A WNBA spokesperson shared with USA TODAY the below statement.
Story to come. pic.twitter.com/hNRAjKQoGy
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) August 17, 2026