The movement to keep biological males out of women’s sports is gaining momentum across the country, according to XX-XY Athletics founder and former U.S. national gymnastics champion Jennifer Sey, who says supporters of Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham are increasingly outnumbering opponents at rallies outside WNBA games.
Appearing on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Sey described a rally she organized outside the Indiana Fever’s game against the Minnesota Lynx, saying it demonstrated growing public support for Cunningham after the Fever guard became one of the only active professional athletes to publicly defend female-only sports.
“I knew we had a moment,” Sey told Hoffman. “Sophie is the athlete we’ve been waiting for. She’s the full package. She’s a star, she’s got a backbone, she’s funny, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. What we need is cultural ignition. We need the 80 percent of people who have common sense and know women’s sports are for women to feel comfortable saying it out loud.”
Sey said supporters vastly outnumbered counterprotesters.
“We outnumbered the other side at least ten to one,” she said. “We came in peace and love. We had balloons, we gave out T-shirts, people were hugging and taking pictures. The other side was complete lunacy, calling us terrible names and blasting megaphones in our ears.”
“If that’s their best foot forward to convince people to join their side, they’re going to lose.”
The rally comes just weeks after controversy erupted in Seattle when fans gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm to support Cunningham and women’s sports. That event gained national attention after Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel confronted a 16-year-old supporter of Cunningham wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel, prompting widespread criticism and bringing additional attention to the debate over women’s sports. The incident also fueled a surge in sales for XX-XY Athletics merchandise and elevated Cunningham as one of the movement’s most visible athletes.
Hoffman argued the controversy should not exist in a league specifically created for women.
“It should be off limits to men,” Hoffman said. “It’s literally a women’s basketball league.”
The discussion also turned to Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, who recently faced questions about transgender participation in women’s sports but declined to directly endorse female-only competition.
Sey said she wished Clark had spoken more forcefully but acknowledged the difficult position she occupies.
“I wish she would say, ‘Yes, of course this league is just for women,'” Sey said. “But I also have empathy for her. She’s already battling so much. The commissioner, the coaches, the presidents and CEOs should be taking the lead on this.”
Sey also rejected the WNBA’s frequently repeated message that “exclusion is never the answer.”
“The WNBA is all about exclusion,” she said. “Less than one percent of college players make the WNBA. Not everyone gets to play. It’s called the Women’s National Basketball Association. There should be no men in it.”
Sey said attendance at the Fever-Lynx game underscored the league’s recent growth, crediting players such as Clark and Cunningham with driving fan interest.
“I’ve never been to a WNBA game before,” she said. “It was packed. People want to see Caitlin. People want to see Sophie. These young women are leading this league out of non-profitability.”
She said XX-XY Athletics plans to continue organizing rallies at future Fever games to show support for Cunningham and other women speaking publicly on the issue.
“We want Sophie Cunningham to know she’s supported,” Sey said. “So many women have been fighting this battle for years and felt alone. They’re not alone anymore.”
Hoffman urged fathers to become more involved in supporting female athletes.
“Dads who are out there, the women need our support in this,” he said. “Show your daughter, your wife, your sister, your mother—you support women’s sports.”
Sey said fathers are already responding.
“Our sales have been blowing up in the last week,” she said. “The number one item is our men’s logo T-shirt. The dads are ready. We’ve been waiting for you.”
