Seattle Storm co-owner suspended after altercation with Sophie Cunningham fans

Celeste Keaton, the co-owner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball team Seattle Storm, has been suspended and fined after an altercation with fans of Sophie Cunningham.

Keaton is said to have approached two teens ahead of Seattle Storm’s game against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday (28 July), as reported by The Athletic.

The fans were said to be carrying signs supporting Cunningham. Pictures show the signs reading “Thank you, Sophie for speaking up for girls!”. They were also wearing T-shirts depicting the XX and XY chromosomes.

Cunningham has been in the news recently for sharing her opinions on trans athletes. She has repeatedly asserted her intention to “protect women’s sports” amid the continued effort to block trans women and girls from female sports teams.

Journalist Brandi Kruse reported that Keaton told the girls they were “f****** insane”. Keaton is now banned from attending the team’s next five home games.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologise that this happened,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement.

“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.”

‘We remain committed to creating an inclusive environment’

A day after the altercation, Cunningham seemingly commented on the events online. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), the 29-year-old Indiana Fever guard, nicknamed “MAGA Barbie,” shared: “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. You’ll be hearing from me soon… yay for gifts.

“Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.”

In a recent ESPN profile, Cunningham shared that she had got “a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans.

“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. 

“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

She then said in a press conference following the interview: “I think it’s kind of common sense. I think I’ll always believe in that.

“I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. And so I’ll stand on what I said, and I’ll always believe that.”

She then doubled down in an Instagram post, with the caption “I said what I said.”

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