OutKick founder Clay Travis has offered the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces $10 million to participate in a basketball game against a high school boys' state title team of his choosing. This offer comes as the WNBA faces internal debate and external criticism regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports.
The controversy intensified after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly stated her belief that women's sports should be reserved for biological females. This stance reportedly led to backlash within the league, with some players and coaches publicly denouncing her views, while others, like Fever head coach Stephanie White, stated she was not "educated enough from a scientific standpoint" to comment on males competing in women's sports, adding that she grew up playing with boys.
Travis's offer, which he increased to $10 million on Monday, is framed as a challenge to the WNBA's stated political views and ideology. He suggested that if the Aces were to beat his selected high school team, they would receive the substantial sum. For context, $10 million represents nearly a third of the Aces' estimated annual revenue of $33 million.
Travis has made similar offers in the past, aiming to highlight perceived inconsistencies in the WNBA's stance on inclusivity versus biological realities in sports. The timing of this offer coincides with wider discussions about gender identity and athletic competition, particularly in professional women's sports leagues.
Sophie Cunningham has faced criticism and has been subjected to boos and signage from some fans during games following her remarks. The WNBA has not issued a formal response to Travis's offer, which OutKick suggests indicates an unwillingness to engage with the perceived contradiction between league ideology and biological differences.