RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesSeattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been fined and suspended by the WNBA for five home games for alleged comments she made to two fans July 28, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the incident or punishment Keaton received.
Seattle lost Tuesday night to the Indiana Fever and the two fans who were allegedly approached by Keaton sat courtside and held up signs in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. One of the signs, according to photos, read: “THANK YOU SOPHIE FOR SPEAKING UP FOR GIRLS.”
The two fans, who have not been named, recounted the alleged incident with Keaton in a video posted by podcast host Brandi Kruse . The two fans were wearing shirts from XX-XY Athletics, which bills itself as a brand that’s “here to protect women’s sports and spaces.”
In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, Storm majority co-owner Ginny Gilder said, "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. 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 has drawn attention following an ESPN story that quotes the Fever star saying, "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't have to go against biological men.”
Asked about that stance last week, Cunningham said , “I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. And I think there are rights that need to be protected. Like I said, I’m going to stand true to that. I’ll never falter in my beliefs in that, but I have never once said I hated the trans community. Like I said, I think there’s space for everyone.”
Upon learning of Keaton's suspension, Cunningham wrote on X , “Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.” She commended the two fans for “standing up” and said she’ll be sending them gifts, then added Keaton’s alleged actions were “truly embarrassing.”
Before the Fever defeated the Storm, there was a small rally outside of Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle where a few dozen people showed their support for Cunningham and to promote statewide initiative IL26-638, which would bar transgender students from participating in girls sports at Washington public schools. Neither Cunningham nor superstar Caitlin Clark — who scored a team-high 32 points in the win — were made available to reporters in the postgame news conference.
When Fever coach Stephanie White was asked about the rally, a Fever spokesperson intervened and read a statement, saying: “Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers. Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”
Before the game, veteran Storm center Stefanie Dolson wore a shirt that said, "Trans Rights Are Human Rights." Photographs of her wearing the shirt were posted to the team's official social media accounts and garnered more than 3.7 million views on X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner for alleged comments to Sophie Cunningham supporters
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