Seattle Storm Apologize After Co-Owner Confronts Fans
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- Seattle Storm apologized Wednesday after a co-owner had a confrontation with two fans during Tuesday night's 105-95 home loss to the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena.
- Co-owner Celeste Keaton allegedly directed expletives at fans over a sign thanking Cunningham "for speaking up for girls," according to fans interviewed by Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod.com.
- Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder issued the apology, stating "Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome" and reaffirming the team's commitment to "an inclusive environment."
- Sophie Cunningham denounced Keaton's reported conduct on X, writing "Truly embarrassing of the co-owner" while affirming there is "love for EVERYBODY," including trans women and men.
- Ballot initiative IL26-638, which would bar transgender students from girls' athletics at Washington schools, drew a pregame crowd of a few dozen supporters before the incident.
- Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White read a team statement saying neither the organization nor Cunningham had any knowledge of or contact with the demonstration's organizers.
Why it matters: The incident underscores how WNBA games have become a flashpoint in the national debate over transgender athletes in sports, with the Storm forced into a public split between ownership conduct and the player the fans came to support.
