The Seattle Storm has apologized after one of its co-owners allegedly directed insults and mocking gestures toward teenage girls attending a game to support women's sports advocate Sophie Cunningham. The incident occurred during the WNBA game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night.
According to reports, a group of teenage girls wearing shirts from XX-XY Athletics and carrying signs in support of Cunningham were present at the game. Independent journalist Brandi Kruse, who was seated near the girls, stated that fans began booing them. Kruse also reported witnessing several Storm players making thumbs-down gestures towards the girls, particularly when one girl danced during a game break.
During halftime, one of the 16-year-old girls was reportedly crying after experiencing comments about her shirt and Cunningham from nearby fans. Kruse identified a woman sitting with Storm co-owner Sue Bird as the individual who approached the girls, allegedly yelling at them and calling them "f---ing insane." Kruse stated that an arena security guard identified the woman as a team co-owner, later identified as Celeste Keaton. Kruse reported that security recommended she contact the Storm's front office after the game, rather than confronting the individual immediately.
The Storm organization released a statement acknowledging the incident involving a co-owner. "We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night's game. We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect," the statement read.
Amy Sousa, who helped organize a rally outside the arena in support of Cunningham, stated that while she did not witness the alleged exchange with Keaton or the players' gestures, she learned about the incidents afterward. Sousa provided footage of a man confronting the group as they left the arena, telling them to "take out the trash."
Reports of the girls being told to put down their signs were disputed, with Kruse stating the girls chose to do so due to feeling scared and uncomfortable after the alleged harassment. Supporters had deliberately left signs promoting Washington Initiative 638, a measure that would restrict transgender athletes in K-12 sports, outside the arena due to concerns about political signage policies.
Conversely, the arena displayed "No Hate in Washington State" signs opposing the initiative on its video boards. According to Kruse, security guards indicated the Storm had made a one-night exception to its political-signage restrictions for the opposition campaign. Climate Pledge Arena's sign policy prohibits commercial, derogatory, insulting, obscene, or culturally disrespectful signs, reserving management discretion for inappropriate content.
Storm center Stefanie Dolson wore a shirt reading "Trans rights are human rights" and appeared to applaud demonstratively when the "No Hate" signs were shown on the video board, a gesture viewed by Kruse as directed towards Cunningham's supporters.
The game itself saw the Indiana Fever defeat the Seattle Storm 105-95, with Cunningham scoring 11 points and Caitlin Clark adding 32. Cunningham appeared unfazed by the attention, with Sousa noting she seemed to be smiling throughout the game.
The Fever organization stated that neither the team nor Cunningham had any knowledge of or contact with the rally organizers, emphasizing their focus on winning games and building their fan base.
Storm head coach Sonia Raman stated the organization coordinated with arena security to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all guests, adding that "From what I understand, that was successful."