The Indiana Fever capped off July with their fifth straight victory, but the real fireworks came from the stands. Playing in a hostile Moda Center against the Portland Fire, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was met with a chorus of boos every time she touched the ball — and at least one former NBA star is here for it.
Video from the game captured the crowd's disapproval when Cunningham pulled up for a three-pointer. The backlash stems from her public comments opposing transgender athletes competing in women's sports, a stance that has made her a lightning rod for controversy all season.
Former Milwaukee Bucks No. 1 overall pick and NBA champion Andrew Bogut took to X (formerly Twitter) to show his support for the Portland faithful. He reposted the clip of the booing with three raised fist emojis — a simple but unmistakable endorsement.
Unsurprisingly, Bogut's post ignited a firestorm in the replies, mirroring the deep divide that has come to define the conversation around trans inclusion in sports. Supporters praised him for taking a stand, while critics were quick to push back.
"Protecting no one from nothing," one user wrote. Another fired back: "They gon start calling you Andrew Bigot." Meanwhile, Cunningham's defenders rallied, with comments like "Sophie is the unashamed female energy we've needed for so long" and "We love Sophie!"
The tension isn't new. Earlier this season, Seattle fans made their feelings known during a game against the Fever, and protests have become a regular occurrence outside arenas. The situation escalated further when two fans claimed Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted them over signs supporting Cunningham, calling them "(expletive) insane" in a heated exchange that quickly went viral.
Despite the mounting pressure, Cunningham has remained defiant. She recently told reporters she's unfazed by the boos, saying, "I'm here to be me." Her coach, Stephanie White, has also voiced frustration over the distraction, but Cunningham continues to play through the storm.
The debate shows no signs of cooling off. With another rally planned in Portland and high-profile figures like J.K. Rowling weighing in, the WNBA finds itself at the center of a cultural clash that extends far beyond the court.
For now, Bogut's emoji-fueled endorsement adds another layer to the saga, proving that even retired players can't stay out of the conversation.
