Politics
‘It Shouldn’t Be Political’: Protesters Clash Outside WNBA Arena Over Sophie Cunningham
Supporters and protesters faced off outside Minneapolis’ Target Center over the weekend as the debate surrounding women’s sports and transgender athletes continued to draw national attention, with XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey defending Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and accusing critics of trying to silence opposing viewpoints.
The demonstrations took place before the Indiana Fever’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, where Cunningham returned to the spotlight after recently speaking out in support of protecting women’s sports based on biological sex.
Sey, the founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, traveled to Minneapolis with members of her advocacy group to show support for Cunningham, saying she wanted the WNBA star to know she was not standing alone.
“We’re the only athletic brand that’s standing up for women, protection of women’s sports, and fair competition. We stand up for female athletes even when it’s hard,” Sey said in an interview with Turning Point USA’s Frontlines.
“She’s the first to speak out and say women’s sports should be protected,” Sey said. “She’s getting a lot of hate. We wanted her to feel some love.”
HAPPENING NOW: XX-XY Athletics founder @Jennifersey explains why she and her advocacy group are in Minneapolis today and breaks down the controversy surrounding Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.@TPUSA pic.twitter.com/b9Ki41rxtS
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) August 2, 2026
The appearance came as demonstrators from opposing sides gathered outside the arena, with supporters carrying signs backing Cunningham while protesters voiced opposition to her views. Videos shared on social media showed both groups exchanging chants before fans entered the building.
Sey argued that the issue has become unnecessarily partisan, insisting her organization’s message centers on fairness rather than politics.
“It shouldn’t be political,” she said. “It should be about fairness and fair competition and safety for our girls. But it has become politicized. I would argue the left has politicized it. I say that as a former lefty.”
HAPPENING NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS: As protesters gather outside the Target Center, XX-XY Athletics founder @JenniferSey says protecting women’s sports “shouldn’t be a political issue” and that she is there to “stand up for women.”@TPUSA pic.twitter.com/aITPajTtUh
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) August 2, 2026
She added that her broader goal is to shift the public conversation surrounding women’s athletics.
“It really is just about reality and being for women and girls,” Sey said. “It shouldn’t be political, but it is.”
“We come at it from a culture standpoint,” she said. “I want to change the cultural conversation and I want to make it cool to stand up for women and girls. They’ve been forgotten in this whole debate.”
As protesters gathered nearby, Sey described what she said was a familiar pattern from previous demonstrations.
“They’re just shouting over us,” she said. “I was at the rally on the Supreme Court steps back in January and it was the same thing. They have no rational points to make, so they just shout us down.”
HAPPENING NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS: XX-XY Athletics founder @Jennifersey tells us her thoughts on the protesters screaming at her group.
“When people see how they behave it makes them not want to be on that side.”@TPUSA pic.twitter.com/aHL4B7f5pp
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) August 2, 2026
According to Sey, members of her group remained focused on encouraging supporters while handing out merchandise and speaking with fans outside the arena.
“We’re all just here in love, as Sophie said,” she said. “We have our signs and we’re giving out product and everyone on our side is smiling and happy to meet each other and they’re just screaming at us.”
Sey concluded by suggesting that the protesters’ behavior could ultimately undermine their own cause.
“So mostly they’re just annoying, I would say,” she said. “And I feel like when people see how they behave, it makes people not want to be on that side.”
The demonstrations occurred ahead of a nationally televised game between the Fever and Lynx, where Cunningham received loud boos from many in attendance. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve also wore a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt before the game in a visible show of support for transgender youth.
