Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton reportedly verbally assaulted two teenage fans during the team's 105-95 loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. The incident occurred as the fans, seated courtside, held a sign that read, "Thank you, Sophie for speaking up for girls!"
According to an account shared on the Undivided Podcast by one of the teenagers, Keaton approached them and called them "f------ insane." The fan further stated that Keaton told them, "I hope Jesus can forgive you for what sin you’ve done, for something like that," and "God can save you," leaving one of the girls in tears.
"I've never been yelled at like that," one of the fans stated, contrasting the in-person encounter with online criticism. "But that just caught me by surprise because I thought she was going to be nice, and she started screaming at us, and cussing at us."
The sign of support was for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who had recently been involved in controversy due to comments expressing support for transgender athletes. The two teenagers were also reportedly wearing shirts from XX-XY, an apparel company founded by former gymnast Jennifer Sey, which advocates for protecting women's sports and spaces.
The fans also shared that they felt unwelcome during the game, with other attendees turning their backs to them. "The whole time we were kind of on edge," one of the girls said. "I was like, should we put our sign down? I don’t know."