Sophie Cunningham had a long conversation with Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve about the role of transgender athletes in women’s sports. It appears as though a common narrative surrounding their discussion is not accurate.
The outspoken veteran forward quietly debunked the rumors with one single photo on Instagram.
Regardless of what actually happened, this drama is far from over. The WNBA has lost control of the plot.
Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt in support of transgender athletes.
Sophie Cunningham pulled the proverbial thread on July 21. She said during an interview with ESPN that she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in a sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Lynx, wore a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ shirt during the game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday. It was an intentional jab at Cunningham. Meanwhile, the fans in Minnesota unleashed heavy boos every time she touched the ball.
This continues to be a thing. Fans in Portland trolled Cunningham by waving trans flags. A co-owner of the Seattle Storm made a teenage girl cry for showing her support of the XX/XY agenda. Rallies and protests are already planned for the next few games.
Reeve also pulled Cunningham aside for a chat during pregame. Here is what the former had to say about the viral moment:
WATCH: @minnesotalynx coach Cheryl Reeve spoke after Sunday's win over the Indiana Fever about her pregame conversation with Sophie Cunningham, who has been outspoken about being against transgender athletes playing girls sports. Reeve, seemingly in protest, wore a "Trans kids… pic.twitter.com/8E8kQv4NlS
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) August 2, 2026
Reeve did not expand further on what they discussed. Cunningham has yet to comment.
Sophie Cunningham quietly debunked a viral narrative.
ESPN aired a video of Sophie Cunningham and Cheryl Reeve’s conversation during the game. Viewers immediately noticed a woman in the background. She held her left hand over her mouth, smirked, and shook her head.
Sophie Cunningham & Cheryl Reeve having a discussion before the game pic.twitter.com/Pgng5gvPyI
— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) August 2, 2026
Most people assumed the woman in the background was mocking Cunningham. Her reaction told them everything they need to know. Reeve was making great points. She made Cunningham look foolish.
Maybe that is actually the case. We obviously do not know.
However, Cunningham posted a series of photos on Instagram amid the ongoing controversy. One of the photos appears to include the woman who sat on the bench during the conversation with Reeve. They are both standing next to each other, smiling, while looking at something on the phone. It looks friendly.
Based on appearance alone, the girl in the photo — who was also in the back of the conversation between Cunningham and Reeve — is a fan of Cunningham. She might be on staff with the Fever. I don’t know! It does not look like the people who jumped to conclusions were correct with their assumptions.