A fan holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in reference to her comments on transgender athletes as a fan wearing Seattle Storm gear holds a competing sign during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. | Lindsey Wasson, Associated Press Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined after allegedly yelling expletives at two teenage girls during a WNBA game against the Indiana Fever. The young girls wore XX-XY Athletic shirts and held a sign supporting Fevers Sophie Cunningham courtside that read Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls and We love you Sophie.The sign is in regard to Cunninghams comments in an ESPN interview about her feelings on transgender athletes in female spaces and sports. I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldnt have to go against biological men, she previously said. I think its kind of common sense. ... I think its really important to protect children, and thats little girls who are also involved in that category. And so I stand on what I said, and I always believe that. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham runs by a fan holding a sign referencing her comments on transgender athletes and women's sports during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. | Lindsey Wasson, Associated Press The teenage girls said they were on edge the whole night and nervous to show their sign when Keaton apparently approached the girls and asked what they were doing.The girls then said Keaton told them that Jesus loves everyone and that she hoped Jesus would forgive them for the sin they had committed, followed by her allegedly telling the two girls that they were (expletive) insane and you better stop pulling this (expletive).Independent Seattle-based journalist Brandi Kruse, who accompanied the girls, said she tried to get security to help but was told to email the front office. Last night, @seattlestorm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed out two teen girls for wearing @xx_xyathletics shirts, calling them "f*cking insane." One of them was left in tears. I tried to get security involved and was told I should email the front office. pic.twitter.com/Qi8TcfRtYB Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) July 29, 2026All-American swimmer-turned-activist Riley Gaines reacted to the alleged comments made by Keaton.Nothing inspires young girls to play sports like an owner of a professional womens team cursing them out for acknowledging there are only two sexes and each is worthy of equal opportunities, she said on X.Nothing inspires young girls to play sports like an owner of a professional women's team cursing them out for acknowledging there are only two sexes and each is worthy of equal opportunities https://t.co/42e5GMhVzc Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 29, 2026Following the incident with Keaton, more video footage online showed the young girls being ridiculed by others in the stands, including a grown man who appeared to refer to the girls as trash, saying, Security, take the trash out."Security: Take the trash out."That's what a Seattle Storm fan was heard yelling at teenage Sophie Cunningham fans.The WNBA team's co-owner is also alleged to have berated the girls wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and carrying handmade signs thanking Cunningham for her recent pic.twitter.com/vQ1ekNJXyL Fox News (@FoxNews) July 30, 2026Keaton will be barred from attending the next five games, Fox News confirmed. Seattle Storms majority owner Ginny Gilder responded to the incident in a public statement.We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last nights game, the statement read. 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.Cunningham and others react Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, right, gives an autograph before a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Chicago. | Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press Following the incident, Cunningham gave her reaction to the incident on X:I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. Youll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. Youll be hearing from https://t.co/gIVWhEHi3Q Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 30, 2026Outspoken womens rights activist J.K. Rowling applauded the young girls.These young women are heroines, she said on X. Theyre peacefully protesting against the grotesque unfairness of men playing in womens sport. The only people who are (expletive) insane here are those making a mockery of fair sport for women and trying to bully girls like this into silence.Prior to the WNBA game on Tuesday, a rally supporting Cunningham was held outside the arena. U.S. national gymnastics champion and XX-XY Athletics founder and CEO Jennifer Sey said she would be in attendance at the next rally on Sunday in Minnesota when the Indiana Fever play the Minnesota Lynx.I'll be in Minnesota on Sunday with a special guest for the Fever vs Lynx game. Join us for a rally outside the arena before the game! Wear your @xx_xyathletics! I'll be in mine! pic.twitter.com/V1JPuyerwS Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) July 30, 2026