The WNBA and its champion team, the Las Vegas Aces, have not responded to a public offer of $10 million to play a high school boys' basketball team. The offer was made by OutKick founder Clay Travis following recent controversy surrounding comments by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham stated that transgender male athletes should not compete in women's sports, a position Travis noted is shared by a significant portion of the public and is supported by biological differences between sexes. Her remarks reportedly led to criticism and backlash within the league, with players and coaches reportedly critiquing her stance and fans booing her during games.
Travis's offer stipulated that the Las Vegas Aces would receive $10 million if they played and defeated a state-title winning high school boys' basketball team. For the Aces, valued at an estimated $300 million in 2025 with an approximate annual revenue of $33 million, the prize money would represent a notable sum.
Despite the offer being public for over 24 hours, neither the WNBA nor the Aces organization has issued a statement or indicated a willingness to accept the challenge. OutKick reported that they reached out to both entities for comment and received no response by the time of publication.
Travis suggested that the silence from the Aces indicates an acknowledgment of a likely loss to a high school boys' team. He noted that high school boys' teams across the country have expressed interest in participating in such a game. "They know they would get smoked," Travis wrote on Tuesday. "But men should definitely be allowed to play in their league per coaches. Such a joke."
Travis also questioned why the WNBA has not issued a statement clarifying eligibility for its league, similar to stances taken by the Olympics and women's tennis. He pointed out that WNBA player Caitlin Clark had also called for the league to make a statement on the matter.
The WNBA's silence on Travis's offer and the broader issue of transgender athletes in women's sports has drawn criticism, with some suggesting a commitment to political stances over acknowledging biological realities.
