Two teens, wearing shirts with XX and XY chromosomes on them, were backing the Fever guard’s stance on banning transgender athletes from women’s sports<\/p>\n
\n\tSeattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton\u00a0has been officially suspended and fined by the WNBA<\/a>, following her interaction with two teenage fans who were supporting Sophie Cunningham \u2014 particularly the Fever guard\u2019s stance on banning transgender athletes from women\u2019s sports.<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to The Athletic<\/a>, Keaton approached two teens prior to Tuesday night\u2019s game against the Indiana Fever, who beat the Seattle Storm that evening. The fans \u2014 who were both wearing shirts with XX and XY chromosomes on them \u2014 were backing Cunningham, who has been vocal about IL26-638, a statewide ballad initiative in Washington schools that would ban transgender students from participating in girls\u2019 athletics. Keaton allegedly cursed out the teens and called them \u201cfucking insane.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans<\/a>,\u201d Cunningham said in a recent ESPN profile<\/a>. \u201cAnd I\u2019m like, \u2018I never once said that.\u2019 I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn\u2019t have to go against biological men.\u201d She doubled down on this in an Instagram post<\/a>, with the caption \u201cI said what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\tTrending Stories<\/p>\n \n\tAfter podcast host Brandi Kruse posted a video of Keaton\u2019s exchange, the Storm issued an apology<\/a>. \u201cWe are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night\u2019s game,\u201d majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement. \u201cWe apologize that this happened. 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.\u201d Then, as The Athletic reports, WNBA fined and suspended Keaton from the next five home games. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cTruly embarrassing of the co-owner,\u201d Cunningham wrote on X. \u201cUnfortunately shows the type of leader she is.\u201d<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You\u2019ll be hearing from\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/gIVWhEHi3Q<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \t