The WNBA has found itself at the center of another social media dispute after wishing Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham a happy 30th birthday, with the league’s message drawing sharply divided reactions from fans.
Cunningham celebrated the milestone on Sunday as Indiana secured a dramatic 95-91 overtime victory over the Atlanta Dream.
The birthday tribute came after several weeks in which the Fever star has been a prominent figure in an increasingly heated debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
The league’s official X account marked the occasion by writing: “Join us in wishing a Happy Birthday to 2025 Commissioner’s Cup Champion, Sophie Cunningham.”
Supporters Accuse WNBA of Using Controversy
While the post appeared to be a routine birthday message, it quickly attracted criticism from fans who argued that the WNBA was attempting to benefit from the attention surrounding Cunningham’s recent comments.
Cunningham has faced significant scrutiny after saying she wanted to “protect young girls” from what she described as “biological men” competing in women’s sports.
Some social media users accused the league of exploiting the controversy while simultaneously failing to support Cunningham during the backlash she received.
“You won’t protect her against hate, but you’ll capitalize on her birthday. @WNBA is disgusting,” one critic wrote.
Another questioned why the league appeared eager to promote Cunningham after the recent controversy, asking: “Oh now you like her when she can get you clicks?”
A third commenter accused the WNBA of contributing to the situation surrounding Cunningham, while another claimed the birthday post demonstrated that the league was “milking this controversy for attention.”
Others Condemn Cunningham’s Position
The reaction was far from unanimous, however.
Other users objected to the WNBA publicly celebrating Cunningham, arguing that her comments on transgender participation were unacceptable.
One person responded bluntly: “Not a chance. She’s a bigot.”
Another wrote: “Yeah I’m done with the WNBA. Shameful organization.”
The opposing reactions highlight how deeply divisive the transgender-athlete debate has become within women’s basketball, with Cunningham attracting both support and condemnation for her position.
Debate Has Spread Beyond the Fever Star
The controversy surrounding Cunningham has also prompted a series of unusual developments involving former NBA players.
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom, who spent 11 seasons in the league and stands 6ft 10in, announced plans to declare for the WNBA Draft as an apparent protest against the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
He has indicated that he intends to formally pursue the move in 2027.
Former Sacramento Kings player Royce White has also entered the discussion, announcing his intention to seek entry into the WNBA.
White, who played only three games in the NBA, told Fox News Digital that he identifies as transgender and wants to compete alongside players such as Caitlin Clark and Cunningham.
White subsequently intensified the stunt on social media by posting an image of himself wearing a wig while referring to his “feminine era.”
WNBA Reviews Eligibility Rules
Amid the growing controversy, WNBA general managers and team presidents met Wednesday as part of an anti-hate task force to discuss athlete eligibility and the wider debate over transgender participation.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was among the league officials involved in the discussions.
Following the meeting, the WNBA said there were “no immediate eligibility matters affecting” the league, indicating that no immediate changes to its existing rules were required.
The league also condemned what it described as “bad-faith efforts” to use the issue to demean or marginalize people.
A WNBA spokesman said the meeting addressed transgender athletes as well as the continuing “hate and vitriol” directed toward players online, adding that the league would continue discussions with its stakeholders in the coming months.
Eligibility Rules Remain Broad
Under the WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, only players who are women are eligible to compete in the league.
However, the agreement does not provide more detailed wording concerning gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
That lack of specific language has become a focal point of the wider debate, particularly following Cunningham’s comments and the subsequent public response.
For now, the league has indicated that its existing eligibility framework does not require an immediate overhaul.
Players and Coaches Take Different Positions
The issue has also exposed differing views among figures within the WNBA.
Some players and coaches have publicly expressed support for transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Reeve recently framed the issue as one extending beyond sport, saying on August 1 that transgender children should be protected and that every child should have the opportunity to participate in sports.
With Cunningham’s birthday message reigniting the online argument, the WNBA continues to navigate a highly contentious debate in which questions about eligibility, inclusion and competitive fairness have become increasingly intertwined.
