A Women's National Basketball Association fan has accused the New York Liberty of censorship after the team altered her paid halftime scoreboard message at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Julie Potter, a lesbian hip hop artist, said she was part of a group that spent more than $2,000 on 25 tickets for Saturday's game between the Liberty and the Indiana Fever. She also paid $100 to display a custom message on the arena scoreboard during halftime.
Potter intended to show support for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has been at the center of national controversy after stating that she wanted to "protect young girls" from "biological men."
The requested message read: "Thank you Jennifer Sey! XX-XY Athletics will Save the Day!!" The athletic apparel brand XX-XY Athletics was founded by retired gymnast and author Jennifer Sey, a former United States national champion, and claims to "Stand Up for Women's Sports."
According to Potter, the New York Liberty initially approved the submission and accepted her payment. However, franchise representatives contacted her on Friday to notify her that the wording had been modified to: "Thank you Jennifer Sey, thank you for all you do for XX-XY Athletics."
In response, Potter asked the organization to run her original statement or refund her money. Digital outlet Outkick reported that the Liberty offered a refund, stating that scoreboard messages are limited to positive and celebratory content, and that submissions violating that spirit, intentionally or unintentionally, are ineligible for display.
Potter rejected the team's position. "Unfortunately, this is censorship," Potter told Outkick. "My message was approved and payment was accepted. You then changed it without giving me any opportunity to revise or respond... why would I pay to let you speak for me?"
Potter noted that she intentionally omitted Cunningham's name to avoid "triggering" team officials, adding, "I said nothing derogatory." The Daily Mail contacted the New York Liberty for comment regarding the dispute.
Protests and Reaction Across the League
Saturday's contest in Brooklyn features Cunningham and star guard Caitlin Clark facing the Liberty. The New York Liberty compete in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA and play home games at Barclays Center, a major multi-purpose arena in New York City.
Cunningham's initial remarks sparked widespread criticism across professional basketball, including from opposing leadership. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a T-shirt stating "Trans kids belong" when her team played against the Fever.
The Fever guard has faced boos from crowds at most arenas, while demonstrations and counter-protests supporting her stance have become common at games nationwide. During a recent game, league security ordered fans wearing T-shirts in support of Cunningham to cover them up, an intervention the WNBA later acknowledged "shouldn't have happened."
WNBA Commissioner Addresses Culture War
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has faced public criticism over her administration of the league during the debate. The scrutiny comes as the WNBA eligibility policy faces a challenge from two former NBA players seeking to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Earlier this week, Engelbert addressed the atmosphere surrounding the sport, accusing outside commentators of "trying to use the league to sow divisiveness" amid ongoing culture war debates.
"We're being the center of political football for people who have never watched the WNBA, never have written about the WNBA or reported on the WNBA," Engelbert said. "People are trying to use the league to sow divisiveness. There's always going to be haters out there and we denounce it. The vitriol has got to stop against our players... but that's what happens when you have made it as a legitimate sports media and entertainment product."
The Women's National Basketball Association was founded in 1996 as the premier professional women's basketball league in North America, currently featuring twelve franchises across the United States.
