The WNBA has reportedly suspended Seattle Storm owner Celeste Keaton from five home games and fined the organization after she confronted two teenage fans during Tuesday's game against Indiana. The fans had recently participated in an anti-trans rally in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's recent remarks.
Seattle Storm Owner Celeste Keaton Angered by Fans' Anti-Trans Signs
The teens were sitting courtside at Climate Pledge Arena with signs supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham has drawn both praise and backlash in recent weeks for publicly opposing transgender women competing in women's sports. She has maintained she does not hate trans people but wants to "protect young girls in sport."
One sign read, "Thank you, Sophie, for speaking up for girls." Keaton, a minority owner, allegedly told them they were "f---ing insane" and demanded, "How dare you come here and pull this s---t?"
One of the fans was reportedly left in tears.
Cunningham weighed in hours later, calling Keaton's actions "truly embarrassing" and applauding the teens. "Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe," she wrote. "You'll be hearing from me soon."
Meanwhile, majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a statement distancing the ownership group from the incident. "We apologize that this happened," Gilder said. "Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome."
Keaton's actions in Seattle puts the franchise under a brighter spotlight, as debate over Cunningham's anti-trans stance continues to grow across the league.
