The WNBA is facing mounting pressure to expel Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after she allegedly berated two teenage girls at a game for supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's views on transgender athletes.
The incident occurred Tuesday night before the Storm hosted the Indiana Fever. A small group of protesters gathered outside the arena to back Cunningham, who has publicly stated that keeping transgender athletes out of women's sports is "common sense." The fans were also promoting a state ballot initiative that would bar transgender students from girls' athletics in Washington schools.
Inside the arena, two teenage girls sat courtside wearing shirts emblazoned with "XX" and "XY" chromosomes, showing solidarity with Cunningham. According to Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod.com, Keaton approached the girls and directed expletives at them for holding a sign thanking Cunningham "for speaking up for girls."
The Storm issued an apology on Wednesday, though no one was named directly. "We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night's game. We apologize that this happened," said majority owner Ginny Gilder. "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 did not hold back in her response, calling the co-owner's behavior embarrassing. "I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY," she wrote on X. "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."
The backlash has been swift, with many fans and observers calling for Keaton's removal from the league. "Kick her out of the league!" one fan wrote on social media. Another added, "No one like that should be representing the WNBA or one of its franchises." Others echoed similar sentiments, saying, "She shouldn't just be suspended. She should be kicked out of the entire league," and "No place for her in this game."
Reports indicate that Keaton has been suspended for the team's next five home games, but many are pushing for a harsher punishment. The controversy adds to the ongoing debate about transgender athletes in women's sports, a topic that has also drawn attention from figures like Paige Bueckers, who recently spoke about handling pressure as her WNBA stardom grows.
The situation also mirrors broader pressures in sports, such as the pressure on ESPN to move on from the McEnroe brothers after Andy Roddick's Wimbledon performance, or the NCAA facing calls to sanction Kirby Smart's Georgia program after a recent arrest. The WNBA now finds itself at a crossroads, deciding whether to take decisive action against one of its own owners.
