Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and activist Riley Gaines have criticized the WNBA after arena security threatened to eject two fans wearing pro-women T-shirts in Georgia.
The confrontation occurred during overtime at Gateway Center Arena as the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 95-91 on Sunday.
Local Georgia residents Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter, Annie, had paid $1,000 each for their lower-level seats, located three rows back from the court. Both were wearing apparel from XX-XY Athletics, a brand that advocates for protecting women's sports.
Security guards allegedly informed the pair that their attire was "offensive" and violated arena guidelines. Staff instructed them to cover up using promotional T-shirts or face immediate removal from the building.
"We did nothing," Kasey Thomason said outside the arena following the game. "We were just sitting there. I didn't make signs. I wanted to make signs, but I didn't. I did nothing."
Thomason claimed that another spectator wearing a "Protect Trans Rights" shirt had pointed them out to security after that fan was similarly instructed to zip up a jacket over her shirt. Thomason added, "She shouldn't have to zip up," noting that both spectators should have been allowed to wear their clothing without intervention.
League Apology and Club Response
The Women's National Basketball Association, the premier professional women's basketball league in North America, issued a statement admitting security erred in confronting the spectators.
In a statement provided to OutKick, a WNBA spokesperson said: "The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened."
Hours later, the Atlanta Dream released a message seeking to distance the franchise from the security decisions made at Gateway Center Arena.
"The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone," the team said. "Unfortunately, at last night's game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security."
Dave Portnoy, a prominent fan of Fever guard Caitlin Clark who has repeatedly criticized league leadership, responded on social media on Monday night by writing, "This league man". He later re-posted the Dream's statement with a blunt three-word response.
Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who campaigns against transgender athletes in female sports categories, responded to the Dream's post on X. Gaines wrote: "The predictable 'we believe in inclusivity!' explanation for discriminating against two women who know what a woman is lol".
Controversy Surrounding Sophie Cunningham
The incident in Atlanta comes amidst heightened debate surrounding gender participation policies across the WNBA following recent comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham voiced support for protecting women's sports during an ESPN interview, sharing what she described as her "common sense" opinion. She stated that she wanted to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Her comments sparked demonstrations and reactions across the league from both supporters and critics.
Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was fined and suspended after confronting and allegedly directing expletives at fans holding a sign thanking Cunningham during a game between the teams.
In another game, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who also serves as head coach of the United States women's national basketball team, wore a "Trans kids belong" T-shirt on the sideline.
Gaines recently attended an Indiana Fever game to cheer Cunningham on in person. During that game, Gaines claimed a staffer instructed her to put down a sign reading, "Sophie, Thank You - A Girl Mom."
Following a debate with the staffer, which Gaines detailed to OutKick, she was permitted to keep holding the sign. Gaines later posted a photograph with Cunningham on Instagram, writing: "I show up for @sophie_cham because she shows up for my daughter." Cunningham liked the post, though she did not comment on it.
NBA Veterans Declare for WNBA Draft
The ongoing debate over transgender inclusion has prompted unconventional protests from outside the league, including two former NBA players declaring themselves eligible for the WNBA draft.
Enes Kanter Freedom, a 6ft 10in center who played 11 seasons in the NBA for teams including the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers, announced his plans to declare for the WNBA draft earlier this month. Freedom, who allegedly sent a provocative letter to the WNBA commissioner, has drawn widespread criticism for his decision.
Following Freedom's announcement, 35-year-old former NBA player Royce White followed suit. White, a former first-round draft pick who played three games in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings, told Fox News Digital that he is now transgender and intends to join Clark and Cunningham on the court next season.
White subsequently doubled down on his declaration by posting a photograph of himself wearing a wig on social media.
