Outkick founder Clay Travis has offered $10 million to the Las Vegas Aces, the reigning Women's National Basketball Association champions, if they can beat a high school boys' basketball team of his choosing, as the league's debate over transgender athletes intensifies.
The right-wing commentator posted the offer on X on Monday, describing it as an increase on a previous bet. "Important announcement: I am upping my offer, $10 million dollars for a head-to-head basketball game between the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces and a boy's high school state title team of my choice. If the Aces beat my team, I will give them $10 million," he wrote.
"If the boys win, I will give them $10 million to distribute as they see fit to their team members," Travis added. He said the game would be shown on pay-per-view, with all profits donated to Tunnel to Towers, a foundation that provides mortgage-free homes to the families of deceased soldiers, police officers and first responders. "This will be the most money ever paid to win a single basketball game. A modern day battle of the sexes. $10 million to the winning team," he wrote.
Travis founded Outkick, a conservative sports and news outlet that has repeatedly spoken out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports. The Las Vegas Aces have been contacted for comment.
Sophie Cunningham's comments spark debate
The controversy began after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said she wanted to "protect young girls" from "biological men," insisting that young girls "shouldn't have to go against biological men" when playing sports. Her remarks have prompted pro and anti-trans protests at every Fever game since.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt during her team's game against Indiana on Sunday, while Fever head coach Stephanie White said she does not believe "exclusion is the answer."
Support and backlash
Most high-profile WNBA figures have declined to back Cunningham's stance, and liberals have condemned her comments. But she has won support from conservative figures including political activist Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer known for campaigning against transgender inclusion in women's sports, and tennis great Martina Navratilova, a multiple Grand Slam champion. Travis himself praised the Fever guard for "standing up for actual women."
Protests outside the arena
On Sunday, protesters from both sides of the debate clashed outside the arena. Reeve was seen in an animated discussion with Cunningham courtside while still wearing her "Trans Kids Belong" shirt.
Caitlin Clark declines to weigh in
Indiana superstar Caitlin Clark, whose rookie season is credited with driving a surge in the WNBA's popularity, had a testy exchange with reporters after being asked about the controversy surrounding her teammate. She declined to share her own view following the Fever's 108-100 loss.
"I think, for us, it's not really a discussion we really have in our locker room," Clark told a packed media room. "I think it's for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions, but our focus is on basketball. That's what we talk about and how we can get wins, and, obviously, we didn't do that tonight."
