WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham Stands Firm in Face of Criticism

The WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham is under fire for expressing what the vast majority of Americans believe: that biological men should not be permitted to compete in women’s sports.

The latest kerfuffle involving the Indiana Fever guard centered on comments that Cunningham made in an ESPN profile piece with Hallie Grossman.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans,” the star player said. “And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

The morally confused WNBA does have a rule that states “only players who are women are eligible” – but the league has never adopted a definition of what constitutes a woman for purposes of eligibility. Instead, officials have previously muddied the waters in 2022 by issuing a statement supporting the inclusion of sexually confused players in whatever league they want to pursue.

“Banning trans kids from sports ostracizes them from a fundamental part of growing up and a lifeline to feel welcome and a part of their community.”

Of course, none of the policies requiring players to compete according to their biology ostracize anyone – they simply protect women from getting pummeled or unfairly attacked by men.

Earlier this week, in the aftermath of the ESPN profile, reporters pressed Sophie Cunningham on her comments. She was unapologetic in her response.

“I said what I said,” she told the gaggle of press. “I think it’s kind of common sense. I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children. I stand on what I said, and I always believe that.”

Asked if she was planning to continue advocating for the issue, she explained, “I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and stay true to who I am. I think people are gonna take it how they want to take it, but I’ve never even really said anything about that. When it comes just to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that. I think that’s why you have Title IX.”

Title IX dates to 1972 and prohibits sex-based discrimination in any program that receives federal funding. When it comes to state laws protecting girls sports, the Supreme Court ruled this past June that such legislation is constitutional and doesn’t violate the legendary civil rights law.

As she stated, some of Cunningham’s critics have accused her of “hating” on those who are sexually confused – a charge she strongly rejects.

“I extend love, and I don’t dislike anyone,” she said. “I think there’s room to love everyone … But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected. I’m gonna stand true to that. I’ll never fall through in my beliefs in that.”

When a reporter pressed Cunningham about how she deals with the criticism she’s receiving, the star guard’s reaction was instructive.

“I really don’t care,” she said. “Whatever I say, I’m gonna get hate and I’m gonna get love. And if I’m gonna live by the love, I’m gonna die by the hate. And that’s just not who I am. I beat to my own drum. People are always going to have something to say. You could win the championship, you could be the best at whatever it is, and there’s still people who are going to hate on you. And so, that’s just what this world is.”

Earlier this spring, Cunningham shared the exciting news that she had rededicated her life to the Lord. She had previously said her faith grounded her amidst the noise of the WNBA and beyond.

“I got baptized when I was little, but I was feeling a tug on my heart to do it on my terms as an adult!” she wrote in a social media post. “Such a fun, amazing day. Thank you, Jesus.”

As a professional basketball player with a sizable social media following, Sophie Cunningham has a platform few others enjoy. With it comes a lot of scrutiny and criticism. It’s encouraging to see how she’s been handling the scrutiny. In doing so, though, she’s demonstrating for other Christians how to face the critics amid the ongoing cultural upheaval.

As Christians, the criticism will come. The accusations will fly. The Lord doesn’t need us to serve as His public relations agent. A winsomeness may sometimes be in order, but it’s just one form of witness and won’t always win over antagonists of the faith. Jesus never promised universal approval. Public opinions waver – but God’s truth does not.

We care about people, but we shouldn’t care about them running us down because of our convictions. When someone accuses us of expressing an unpopular biblical belief, we don’t back down but instead double down by speaking the truth with love. 

Please join us in praying for Sophie Cunningham and other Christians in the public eye.