Sophie Cunningham acknowledges fans at WNBA games amid anti-trans rallies outside Indiana Fever game

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham acknowledged supporters rallying behind her stance on transgender athletes in women's sports, saying Saturday she has "already stated how I feel" about the ongoing demonstrations outside her games. Cunningham, nicknamed "MAGA Barbie" for her comments, spoke after her team's 109-102 loss to the New York Liberty, where dueling protests occurred outside Barclays Center. She emphasized focusing on basketball, noting the Fever clinched a playoff spot, while calling the rallies an exercise of free speech. The 30-year-old has faced boos since July when she said she wants to protect young girls in locker rooms and prevent "biological men" from competing against women. She has denied hating transgender people, saying she is "in the middle" politically and aims to "extend love" with honesty.