Coaches Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx and Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries spoke out against protests supporting Sophie Cunningham's position. Cunningham, a player for the Indiana Fever, opposes the participation of transgender athletes in women's sport.
Reeve said she does not wish to give the protests more relevance than they deserve. The coach argued that it is necessary to protect transgender children because "it is a matter of human rights" and that all minors have the right to practise sport. Reeve also noted that transgender athletes have their place and urged people to become better informed on the subject rather than using it as rhetoric to marginalise a community.
Nakase indicated that there is too much hatred in the world and in sport, and strongly recommended that people act from a place of love. She stated that sport is about belonging and inclusion, allowing each person to be authentic, and that this includes transgender women. Nakase expressed her full support for the inclusion of all women in sport.
Cunningham has maintained her position in recent articles, arguing that it is "common sense" to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. She expressed her desire to protect girls in changing rooms and said she is committed to supporting biological women. Cunningham denied having expressed hatred towards the transgender community.
The participation of transgender athletes in women's sports has become an increasingly politicised issue in the United States. Approximately a year ago, President Donald Trump issued an executive order attempting to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. Recently, the Supreme Court backed state bans preventing transgender athletes from competing alongside cisgender athletes.