Sportswriter Howard Bryant has compared Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's stance on transgender athletes in women's sports to the activism of Colin Kaepernick. In an op-ed for The Guardian, Bryant argued that Cunningham's comments, stating that young girls should not have to compete against biological males, align her with political figures.
Cunningham previously stated, "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men." This sentiment is echoed by a significant portion of the American public, with a Pew Research Center survey indicating that 79% of Americans oppose allowing individuals who were male at birth to compete in female sports categories.
Bryant's article also leveled accusations of "anti-Blackism" against Cunningham, suggesting she has adopted a role as a "culture war ambassador." He posited that Cunningham's position on female sports is comparable to Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem. Bryant further claimed that Cunningham's rise to prominence is tied to her opposition to a "someone Black" and her embrace of "transphobia."
OutKick writer Bobby Burack, in response to Bryant's op-ed, defended Cunningham, stating that her comments are not partisan politics but a widely held view. Burack noted that Cunningham's career in the WNBA is predicated on the existence of separate men's and women's sports. He suggested that the controversy surrounding Cunningham's remarks reflects more on the sports media's stance than on Cunningham herself.
The debate comes amid broader discussions about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. Supporters of biological sex-based sports divisions, such as XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey and Kendall Kotzmacher, have organized peaceful gatherings to show solidarity with athletes advocating for fairness in competition. These gatherings have sometimes been met with counter-protests from trans activists.
Bryant's commentary also included personal details, referencing an arrest in 2011 on charges of allegedly assaulting his wife and a police officer. Bryant, who is Black, had previously attributed his arrest to racism, while his wife, who is White, was the alleged victim.
Cunningham has also been a vocal supporter of WNBA player Caitlin Clark, often speaking out against what she perceives as unfair treatment of Clark by other players, officials, and media members. Burack suggested that Cunningham's appeal stems from her willingness to acknowledge Clark's significance to the WNBA and her perceived role as a defender of female athletes.
According to Burack, Cunningham's perspective is relatable to many Americans who believe in maintaining sex-based distinctions in sports and do not subscribe to what he describes as a "distorted worldview" often presented in sports media and by the WNBA.