Sophie Cunningham’s Call to Support Women in Sports

WNBA player Sophie Cunningham has made an impassioned plea to safeguard girls’ sports from the participation of biological men. She has stressed her dedication to upholding truth and ensuring the safety and fairness for young girls in sports and locker rooms. Cunningham’s views have drawn criticism, particularly concerning her stance on transgender athletes.

This conversation arises as French transgender basketball player Julie Tétart anticipates opportunities with inclusive WNBA teams. Tétart impressed many with her performance during the 2025-26 season playing for a club team in Monaco. She excelled in the second-tier French women’s basketball Ligue 2, registering an average of 21 points and 20 rebounds per game.

Tétart, who came out as transgender in 2021, led the league in scoring and rebounding. Such achievements drew significant attention to her abilities. Yet, despite her remarkable contributions, she did not win the league MVP title. She did however, earn accolades such as Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Controversy surrounds the awards, as accusations of bias and exclusion have emerged. French trans groups voiced their frustration over the exclusion of high-performing players like Tétart and Aurore Pautou from postseason recognition. These decisions have sparked debate over fairness and representation in sports.

Audrey Sauret, a former WNBA player, criticized the practices in Ligue 2, pointing out the potential unfairness and discouragement faced by younger players. She emphasized the inherent physical differences between men and women, which cannot simply be erased by hormonal changes, urging timely discussion of these issues.

Julie Tétart’s own dreams of joining an inclusive WNBA remain under scrutiny. Though she has expressed a longstanding aspiration to play, she acknowledges political and societal barriers, particularly alluding to potential restrictions in the United States.

Sophie Cunningham’s concerns about the inclusion of biological men in women’s sports led to an opportunity for Tétart to respond. She chose not to comment extensively, maintaining her focus on her aspirations.

The evolving dialogue around inclusion and fairness in women’s sports continues. How these discussions unfold will have significant implications for the future of sports at all levels.