Late Wednesday night, the WNBA swiftly punished Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton by suspending her for five games after she was caught taunting two teenage girls who displayed a sign in favor of Sophie Cunningham's recent remarks on transgender individuals.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, as the Storm were on their way to a 105-95 loss to Cunningham's Indiana Fever. Keaton reportedly verbally assaulted two teenage fans wearing XX-XY shirts, calling them "[expletive] insane." One of the girls' signs read, "Thank you, Sophie for speaking up for girls!" The sign and shirts were a reference to Cunningham's recent comments opposing transgender women competing in women's sports.
The WNBA did not delay in taking disciplinary action against Keaton, while Sophie Cunningham took advantage of the opportunity to express her stance on acceptance and inclusivity.
Through a post on X, Cunningham made it clear she embraces all people regardless of their gender identity. 'You can disagree and still be kind,' she stated.
Cunningham acknowledged the bravery of the two teenagers for voicing their support and promised them something special, though the details remained undisclosed. She also publicly denounced Keaton's behavior as 'truly embarrassing,' and noted it 'unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.'
Cunningham, who has previously received online backlash for her comments, felt it was necessary to 'clear the air.' She maintained her position on her values while also confronting Keaton head-on.
Keaton has not issued a public statement on her five-game suspension, which bars her from attending any Storm games or events until the restriction is lifted on Sept. 17. The WNBA also fined her for the incident.
Cunningham's team, the Indiana Fever, is aiming to sustain their success in Friday's upcoming match against the Portland Fire. The Fever are currently riding a four-game winning streak and are leading the league standings.
Reactions to the WNBA's decision have been mixed, with some criticizing the league for disciplining Keaton but not taking action against Cunningham's 'bigotry.' Others have supported the WNBA's decision, noting that Keaton deserved the suspension for verbally assaulting the teenage fans. Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, celebrated the WNBA's decision, stating, 'Turns out you can't curse and belittle girls who stand up for themselves anymore.'