Sophie Cunningham criticized Chicago Sky player DiJonai Karrington following the Fever 90-86 victory on Saturday.
Carrington was sent off in the first quarter after hitting Cunningham on the face while Cunningham attempted to lay up.
“I think that it was unnecessary.” Although I have never spoken with her before and I don’t really dislike her, I think she may be holding some stuff back. Get your s— out. That’s fine. Cunningham told ESPN’s Kareem Cooperand, on X, “I can take it… It’s intentional.”
DIJONAI CARRINGTON CALLS WHITE PRIVILEGE AFTER GETTING OUT FOR SMACKING SOPHIE CUNINGHAM IN FACE
She has no excuse for doing anything like that. It was a good move to have her thrown out. She’s someone I have never met. Last year, she wasn’t on the team. When we play in the Fever and are nationally televised there is a lot on our faces, people want to be noticed. “That’s just her trying to grab attention.”
Cunningham, Carrington, and the referees were forced to separate Cunningham from Carrington after they had fouled each other.
Carrington went to Threads after her ejection and posted “White Privilege”. She also tagged Indiana Fever. Cunningham denied Carrington’s claim that Carrington was ejected because of race.
I think that the league will take care of it. It has nothing to with race. The same thing happened last year and I was kicked out. It was my fault. Cunningham continued, “There’s really no need to even play this card.”
In the press conference following the game, Cunningham’s coach Stephanie White defended Carrington, agreeing that the flagrant offense and Carrington’s ejection were the correct call.
“It was definitely a foul. DiJonai didn’t intentionally come out and hit her in the neck as she did. It did happen, and it seemed like the right decision. You know one thing about Nay, she will play off her butt, man. She’s gonna compete. No one’s going to layup on their own. So, I’m not against the foul. “I don’t believe that the woman intentionally went after her neck,” White added.
White refused to comment on Carrington’s post about “white privilege”.
White coached Carrington previously when they were both with the Connecticut Sun 2023-24. Carrington poked Fever star Caitlin Clark in the eye during the playoffs of 2024.
Carrington’s coach at Sky, Tyler Marsh, defended Carrington, saying he didn’t believe it was a flagrant offence in that moment.
In the moment I believed that she had made a good play with a ball. It didn’t seem to warrant a flagrant 2 and I hadn’t seen it on the replay. Marsh stated that his initial thought was “so this is what I initially felt.” Since I haven’t seen the play, I don’t really know whether it was justified.
Marsh declined to make any comment about Carrington’s post on “White Privilege”. Carrington’s post on “White privilege” was also not commented upon by Marsh.
JD VANCE APPLAUDS SOPHIE CUNINGHAM’S ‘SAVE WOMENS SPORTS ACTIVISM’
He added, “I do not believe there was any malice on our part.”
Cunningham was at the centre of an expanding political debate as the incident unfolded between the players. On Saturday, supporters held their fourth rally in front of the Fever’s road venue. Meanwhile, counterprotesters gathered at the United Center.
Cunningham said that she doesn’t hate transgenders, but has suggested it is common sense to protect girls and women who play sports. Karoline Lavitt, White House Press Secretary at the time, defended Cunningham by saying that her backlash was “astonishing”.
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Cunningham’s Indiana and Chicago will be in the spotlight for a while, as another Cunningham rally is scheduled to take place ahead of Indiana Fever’s game on August 22 against New York Liberty.
Carrington had already been involved in a contentious relationship with the Fever prior to Saturday. She mocked Caitlin for what she thought was flopping, and called Indiana fans “the worst fans in the W”, after she received racist abuse online.
Carrington struck Clark’s eye with his hand while trying to defend a ball during 2024 playoffs. The Fever player was left with a black-eyed eye. The contact between the two players was mistaken, but Carrington drew criticism again after his Instagram Live video appeared to make light of the controversy.

DiJonai Cairns of the Chicago Sky, who was called to account for flagrant foul number two on Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever (AP), was sent home Saturday. Carrington then posted the phrase “WHITE Privilege” on her social media page and included the Indiana Fever.
Cunningham (white) was shooting fast break layups in the 1st quarter, when Carrington (black), came behind her and struck her on the neck and head, knocking Cunningham to the ground as the shot hit.
Cunningham believes the foul committed in Indiana’s 90-86 win is “absolutely intentional”.
Cunningham stated, “I think that it was unnecessary.” Cunningham said, “I have never spoken with her before and don’t feel any animosity towards her. But I think she may be holding some things back.”
Stephanie White, the Fever’s coach, had a completely different take on this play.
White stated, “It’s a serious foul.” White said: “I didn’t believe that DiJonai deliberately came out and hit her in the neck, but I did think it was a right call.”
Cunningham stood up, ran toward Carrington while she was being held back by another teammate. She pushed Carrington.
Cunningham replied, “I’ve popped.” I’m not letting anyone do this to me. Everyone knows this. “I think she wanted attention because that is why she did this.”
After the play was reviewed, the flagrant 2 was upgraded after the referee stated that there were windups, impacts and follow throughs on the foul.
Sky’s Tyler Marsh stated that although he had not seen the replay, when he saw it in real time, Carrington made a good play with the ball. He did not believe that it was a Flagrant 2-foul.
He said, “I don’t remember if the play was justifiable or not. I haven’t seen it since.” “But that was what I felt at the time.”
Marsh then was asked to comment on Carrington’s post.
He said, “I’ll get back to your because that is something I just heard about.” We’ll take care of that.
Cunningham has a lot to say.
She said, “I believe the league will take care of this.” This has nothing to with race. The same thing happened last year and I was kicked out. It was my fault. It’s not worth it to even play the card.”
Caitlin ‘Clark’ was given a technical in the third quarter after making contact with an official when forced off of her bounds. Clark was assessed a technical foul for the eighth time this season. If the suspension is not overturned by the league, Indiana will be suspended from their next match.
Clark stated in an interview with television after the game, “She claimed I had run into her.” I’ve seen it already on tape. We’ll leave the decision to the league. It wasn’t deliberate or anything so I hope it gets rescinded.”
Clark won her case a few hours later. The WNBA rescinded this technical foul.
Cunningham, who has been a prominent player in the league for the past few seasons, has often defended Clark after physical abuse by his opponents. She voiced her support in an ESPN article last month for banning transgender women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports. This led to protests and demonstrations at Fever games held in Seattle and Portland.
In a Friday memo sent to all teams, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated that the league will continue discussions on the topic of transgender women playing in the sport.
Marsh stated that Cunningham’s controversy didn’t change the outcome of the game.
He said, “We did not come in this game with more or less energy than we had the previous four games since the All Star break.” Our mindset is to try and win games.
___

DiJonai Cairny of the Chicago Sky, was sent off Saturday for flagrant foul number 2 on Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever. Carrington then posted “WHITE Privilege” on her social media page and included the Indiana Fever.
Cunningham (white) was shooting fast-break layups in the 1st quarter, when Carrington (black), came behind her and struck her on the neck and head, knocking Cunningham to the ground as the shot went through.
Cunningham believes the foul committed in Indiana’s 90-86 win is “absolutely intentional”.
Cunningham stated, “I think that it was unnecessary.” Cunningham said, “I have never spoken with her before and don’t feel any animosity towards her. But I think she may be holding some things back.”
Stephanie White, the Fever’s coach, had a completely different take on this play.
White stated, “It’s a serious foul.” White said, “I didn’t believe that Dijonai deliberately came out and grabbed her around the neck, but I did think it was a right call.”
Cunningham immediately got up, ran toward Carrington while she was being held back by her teammate. She pushed Carrington.
Cunningham replied, “I’ve popped.” I’m not going let anybody do this to me. Everyone knows this. “I think she wanted attention because that is why she did this.”
After the play was reviewed, the flagrant 2 was upgraded after the referee stated that there were windups, impacts and a follow-through to the foul.
Sky’s Tyler Marsh stated that although he had not seen the replay, when he saw it in real time, Carrington made a good play with the ball. He did not believe that it was a Flagrant 2-foul.
He said, “I don’t remember if the play was justified or not. I haven’t seen it since.” “But that was what I felt at the time.”
Marsh then was asked to comment on Carrington’s post.
He said, “I’ll get back to your because that is something I just heard about.” We’ll take care of that.
Cunningham has a lot to say.
She said, “I believe the league will take care of this.” This has nothing to with race. The same thing happened last year and I was kicked out. It was my fault. It’s not worth it to even play the card.”
Caitlin ‘Clark’ Fever was given a technical in the third quarter after making contact with a ref when forced off of her bounds. Clark was assessed a technical foul for the eighth time this season. This triggered a suspension of one game from Indiana.
Clark claimed that the incident was an accident and no words had been exchanged. She hoped the WNBA will rescind this foul.
Clark replied to the referee, “She claimed I ran into her.” I’ve already seen it on tape. We’ll leave it up to the league. It wasn’t intentional. It’s a shame. I hope they rescind it. “And, nothing was spoken.”
Stephanie White, Fever Coach Stephanie White stated that it was a “bad call”.
Cunningham, who has been a prominent player in the league for the past few seasons, has often defended Clark after he has suffered physical abuse from opponents. She voiced her support in an ESPN article last month for banning transgender women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports. This led to protests and demonstrations at Fever games held in Seattle and Portland.

Topline
Former NBA players mocked the debate over transgender athletes and women’s sport by saying they would “declare”, for the WNBA Draft 2027, as a way to test the eligibility rules of the league.
The Key Facts
CRITICAL QUOTE
Kanter stated that if declaring your identity is the only requirement, I have met all of the requirements necessary to play in WNBA.
WHAT ARE THE WNBA RULES ABOUT ELIGIBILITY?
In Article XIII Section 1 (a) of the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, it is stated that “Only women players are allowed to participate in the WNBA.” This policy doesn’t define “woman”, nor does it specify criteria regarding biological sex or hormone levels, or any physical characteristics. The policy does not allow someone to qualify simply because they declare or identify themselves as female.
WHAT HAS THE WNBA SAYED ABOUT TRANSGENDER PERFORMERS?
It’s not much. Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner sent a message to all teams on Friday stating that a group of general managers and team presidents will meet next week to discuss transgender issues. The WNBA Players Association released a statement on Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion, while also saying they “will not use the organization as political pawns.” In a statement, the union said it hoped to “protect women’s sports” while creating transformative change. It added, “Hate and abuse of anyone or any group, including transgender individuals, fuels fear, division and harm.”
Background information
Cunningham, who is known online as “MAGA Barbie”, said last month that she wanted to “protect women’s sports” by not allowing people born men to join the league. She has since sparked small protests at WNBA matches, both in support and opposition. Her comments gained even more attention after OutKick asked transgender French player Julie Tetart if she would like to join the WNBA. Tetart is a 34 year-old Monaco player who competes in the second-tier French Women’s Basketball Ligue 2. She said that it would be a great dream, but added “you must be realistic, I am old and there are better players than myself!” OutKick published an article criticizing the WNBA’s “inclusiveness” for failing to call up Tetart after she had dominated France’s 2nd division. Outkick founder Clay Travis also called out the league on X as “transphobic”.
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The day he retired, Drew Brees had to know he would be on this stage, on this day in Canton. He finished his 20-year career with 80,358 passing yards and 571 passing touchdowns, both second all time.
He went to 13 Pro Bowls and won two NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards.
He won Super Bowl XLIV and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
Brees, 47, was a no-brainer, first-ballot Hall of Famer, so as expected, he was the last of five inductees to make his speech Saturday. Brees made his 10 minutes last, turning his speech time limit into 25 minutes.
“I don’t take for granted that I got to play the most coveted position in all of sports,” Brees said. “From as far back as I can remember, I wanted to play quarterback. I never saw the position as one of pressure, but rather one of great responsibility. . . . The quarterback is the distributor of hope and confidence. A master of probability. The ultimate problem solver. I’ve always seen the game of football and the quarterback position as a true art form like a song or a dance.”
He spent the bulk of his speech on thanking the city of New Orleans and coach Sean Payton. Brees began his career as a second-round pick of the Chargers in 2001, but he became Drew Brees in his 15 seasons with the Saints.
Brees’ severe shoulder injury in 2005 cast doubt on his career and sent him into free agency as damaged goods, with the Dolphins failing him on his physical. Payton wanted Brees, embraced Brees, welcomed Brees and turned Brees into a Hall of Fame quarterback.
“Coach, you were brilliant,” Brees said. “I saw myself as an extension of you on that field. I always had something to prove to you, and I always wanted to make you right. And I know you trusted me, and that allowed us both to be great.”
Brees helped New Orleans heal from Hurricane Katrina, and the city of New Orleans and the Saints helped Brees heal his career.
“It doesn’t take you long to realize what makes New Orleans so special,” Brees said. “New Orleans has been through a lot to the point where in some cases the feeling was we may have lost everything. It may never come back the same.
Storms teach us that our greatest treasures aren’t the things we own. They’re the people we love, and the way we show up for one another. It reminds us to hold our loved ones a little closer, to love a little harder, to laugh a little louder, and to never take a single day for granted. Sometimes it takes losing what can be replaced to truly appreciate the things that can’t.
“New Orleans, you accepted me; you embraced me; you believed in me but more importantly, you trusted me with the soul of the city and I would have died to protect that calling,” Brees said. “The greatest teams in the history of sports are the ones who accept the responsibility of being a true representation of their city/country/community. I speak for all my Saints teammates when I say that’s what we were inspired to be every day for you. If you love New Orleans, it will love you back. There is no truer statement.
“The Who Dat Nation, there are a few events in your life where you remember exactly where you were when it occurred. For Saints fans, it is the Steve Gleason blocked punt on Monday Night Football, reopening of the Dome September 25, 2006, and when the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV. It was your spirit that allowed us to be special, smell greatness and finish strong.”