By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-02 14:51:54 | Updated at 2026-08-02 20:51:36
6 hours ago
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has come under fire from fans after claiming she is not 'educated enough' to take a stance on transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
White addressed the escalating debate following comments from Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who stated last week that she wants to 'protect young girls' in sport who shouldn't have to go against 'biological men.'
When asked for her perspective, White attempted to remain neutral on the subject.
'I don't know that I would say that I'm educated enough from a scientific standpoint. I don't ever believe that exclusion is an answer,' White said.
'I do think when we think about various levels of sport, various governing bodies of sport, and things that go into that. Like I said, I'm not educated enough at the different levels.'
When pressed further on how Cunningham's remarks have drawn unwanted attention to the Fever, White doubled down admitting she found it 'frustrating.'
WNBA fans have ripped into Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White after failing to defend star guard Sophie Cunningham amid backlash following her comments on transgender athletes
Cunningham has been at the center of a war of words after her comments on trans athletes
'There is a frustration because we want to talk about basketball and we want to continue to work on our game, and we want to continue to grow as a team,' she said.
'But I also understand, like this is part of our growth edge as a league, right? We have to be able to insulate as much as we can, and then we have to be able to lead with conversation.'
White's refusal to take a firm stance drew immediate backlash on social media from critics who argued that a professional head coach in women's athletics should have a clear position.
'This is just so patently dishonest. She knows that a top boys HS player would break every WNBA record there is,' one user posted on X.
Another critic added: 'Very weak, amazing she's leading a team. Definitely not someone that should be in that role.'
A third observer commented: ''I coach a female basketball team, so I'm not sure from a scientific perspective about men playing in girls sports.' If you're that stupid, you shouldn't even be a coach.'
The controversy comes during a turbulent stretch for the organization off the court, despite the Fever riding a five-game winning streak.
Cunningham has been at the center of a bitter trans debate over the past week, after comments she made to ESPN that young girls 'shouldn't have to go against biological men' when playing sports.
White claimed she is 'not educated enough' to weigh in on the trans athlete debate
Supporters rally behind Cunningham after her comments on transgender athletes
Rally organizer Amy Sousa (L), speaks in support of Cunningham before the game in Portland
While the Indiana Fever guard has been supported by protestors outside various WNBA arenas over the past few days, the tide turned in Portland on Friday night when the 29-year-old was vociferously booed by the partisan home crowd.
On court, it appeared that she had called the fans 'losers' with a hand signal after scoring a three-pointer, but Cunningham has since taken to social media to reveal what really happened.
Alongside a video of the moment, she noted: 'I didn't call them losers but I did talk s***.'
In a follow-up post, she then appeared to further stoke the flames by posting a video of herself with a finger to her lips, as if trying to quiet those booing her.
In another post, she shared a clip of the moment she handed a young fan her game-worn shoes as a thank you for supporting her.
