Jennifer Sey observed the reception during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm and emphasized the need for the “Save Women’s Sports” movement to support Sophie Cunningham at the upcoming game in Minnesota. “When I watched the Seattle response, the rally seemed quite positive,” Sey mentioned to Fox News Digital. “Our supporters reportedly outnumbered the opposing side ten to one, indicating a significant shift.”
Sey, a former U.S. national gymnastics champion and founder of XX-XY Athletics, is planning a “Sophie Night” rally outside Target Center before the Fever face the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. This marks the third consecutive rally for Cunningham’s recent statements advocating for women’s sports, following events in Seattle and Portland. Sey anticipates the increased attention on these rallies could result in a larger turnout and heightened tensions in Minneapolis. “Due to the attention on Seattle, more people may attend,” Sey stated. “However, our aim remains to honor Sophie and express gratitude peacefully.”
Cunningham has become central to the national dialogue by advocating for women’s sports to remain exclusive to biologically female athletes. She labeled her stance as “common sense” and refused to retract it. The rally in Minnesota presents a clash with prominent transgender inclusion supporters within the WNBA, such as Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who criticized legislative efforts to restrict transgender athletes, claiming these efforts manufacture issues.
Sey argued Reeve’s perspective diminishes the essence of women’s sports. “Without women’s sports, there wouldn’t be a WNBA. A lower-tier NBA player excelling in the WNBA illustrates that,” Sey explained. Moreover, Sey acknowledged that Cunningham’s lack of disciplinary action from the WNBA indicates progress but noted the league’s failure to voice public support.
The controversy further ignited during Tuesday’s game at Climate Pledge Arena. The WNBA fined a Seattle figure for inappropriate behavior, and Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder publicly apologized. This incident rallied prominent women in the movement, such as Independent Council on Women’s Sports co-founder Kim Jones and ambassadors Stephanie Turner, Kaylie Ray, and Ainsley Erzen.
Jones highlighted the WNBA’s response as a positive step toward allowing female athletes to voice concerns without immediate repercussions. However, she criticized the response as insufficient advocacy for women’s rights in sports, urging the league to consider policies that better protect female athletes’ categories.
Turner, who gained national attention for taking a knee in protest at a USA Fencing-sanctioned tournament, expressed surprise at Cunningham’s absence of backlash within the WNBA. She shared her experiences of hostility when supporting the movement publicly in Philadelphia, describing incidents where she faced stalking and harassment for wearing XX-XY merchandise.
Ray, involved in high-profile legal challenges around transgender athletes in sports, expressed concern over the lack of initial protection for supporters of the movement at public sporting events. She shared experiences of receiving online threats following a viral exchange with a state senator and the subsequent doxxing of her family.
Erzen, a dual-sport athlete at Arkansas and plaintiff in an NCAA-related lawsuit, commented on the significance of disciplinary actions taken by the WNBA. “Receiving the bare minimum now feels like progress due to the previous lack of institutional support,” she remarked. Nonetheless, she faced threats and ridicule over her advocacy work.
The movement’s support appears to continue growing, with plans for future rallies in cities like Phoenix and Philadelphia, where the Fever have scheduled games. For now, Sey is focused on bringing the movement to Minnesota’s Target Center, securing tickets for attendees to support Sophie Cunningham.
“We intend to rally with love,” Sey assured. “We invite peaceful dissent but ask to be left alone to support our cause.”
Leave a Reply