A recent opinion piece by sportswriter Howard Bryant has ignited discussion within the sports community, characterizing WNBA player Sophie Cunningham as "every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick." The commentary, published in a prominent outlet, focused on Cunningham's public statements regarding the inclusion of biological males in women's sports.
Athlete's Stance Sparks Debate
Bryant's op-ed suggested that Cunningham's views on protecting female sports from competition with individuals who were male at birth align with a right-wing political agenda. Cunningham previously articulated her position to a major sports network, stating, "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."
This perspective resonates with a significant portion of the American public. A recent Pew Research Center survey indicated that 79% of Americans oppose allowing individuals designated male at birth to compete in sports categories intended for females.
Public Opinion Contrasts with Media Reaction
Despite widespread public agreement, some figures within sports media have voiced strong opposition to Cunningham's comments. Bryant, along with other commentators, has been noted for reacting critically to her stance.
Later in his piece, Bryant escalated his critique, accusing Cunningham of "anti-blackism." He wrote, "Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is now in the act, accepting the role as the right’s anti-Black, anti-transgender culture war ambassador, the role originally intended for Caitlin Clark." The op-ed did not provide a clear explanation for the connection between protecting girls' sports and the accusation of anti-Black sentiment. Critics suggest this omission might stem from a recognition that the argument for co-ed locker rooms is not widely accepted, or perhaps was a reflexive labeling.
Bryant further asserted that Cunningham's position on female sports is comparable to the political gestures made by athletes such as Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the national anthem, or Megan Rapinoe. He contended:
Cunningham plays role of the blithe and bubbly iconoclast, oblivious to the world around as she unapologetically speaks her truths, but she is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe ...
Bryant also claimed that Cunningham sought "the culture war to get on the map," suggesting her prominence came from opposing a Black individual, which he linked to "aggrieved whites" and "transphobia." He added:
Cunningham needed the culture war to get on the map, needing it as much as it needed her, and all it took was a silly finger-point and being in opposition to someone Black. To the aggrieved whites, standing up to someone Black meant standing up for them. Add transphobia to her portfolio, and the result is a star, the latest participant in an old game no more complicated than checkers but far less interesting.
Contrary to Bryant's assertions, Cunningham's increased public profile largely developed last summer due to her willingness to openly support fellow WNBA player Caitlin Clark, both during games and in media discussions. Fans have appreciated Cunningham's readiness to acknowledge Clark's significant impact as the WNBA's leading draw and to address what many perceived as unfair treatment of Clark by other players, officials, and media figures.
The original article also noted a trend where certain public figures on the left appear to target attractive, successful White women, citing Cunningham, Sydney Sweeney, and Margot Robbie as examples.
Examining the Critic's Past and Underlying Arguments
The critical commentary by Bryant comes from a writer whose past has drawn scrutiny. In 2011, Bryant was arrested on charges of allegedly assaulting his wife in public, witnessed by their 6-year-old son. He also faced charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer responding to the incident, following reports that witnesses observed him choking his wife. Bryant, who is Black, later attributed his arrest to racism, despite his wife being White.
Setting aside the broader "culture war" rhetoric, several points clarify the nature of Cunningham's statements. Her belief that young girls should not have to compete against biological males is not necessarily a partisan political stance, given the near 80% public agreement across various political affiliations, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
Furthermore, Cunningham's career within the WNBA is fundamentally built upon the principle of separate sports categories for men and women, making this issue inherently personal to her. The fact that her comments are considered controversial by some within sports media is seen by many as more indicative of a particular viewpoint prevalent in that sector than of Cunningham herself.
The article suggests that certain segments of the sports media and the WNBA community represent a minority view, holding beliefs such as the normalization of males competing against females, a perceived moral obligation for White individuals to atone, and the portrayal of Black women as victims even when they are perceived as aggressors. Cunningham's refusal to align with what is described as a "distorted worldview" is argued to make her relatable to most Americans, rather than rendering her "as political as" Colin Kaepernick.