Sophie Cunningham and West Wilson split on transgender athletes in girls' sports despite podcast collaboration
Sophie Cunningham doubles down in defense for girls games
WNBA player Sophie Cunningham is stirring up debate by doubling down on her defense of women's sports, emphasizing the fundamental role of Title IX. XX-XY Athletics founder and CEO Jennifer Sey championed Cunningham's stance, noting its alignment with widespread belief and legal precedent despite media backlash.
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has stirred up controversy with her latest comments about protecting women's sports.
Several members of the media and some of her WNBA colleagues were quick to take issue with her statement about banning natural men from playing girls' games, but the Indiana Fever guard didn't back down.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham plays in the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 27, 2026. (Photos by Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn)
The latest person to accept Cunningham's comments is typical and unlikely, as childhood friend and podcast host, West Wilson, took to X to express his displeasure that “right-wing players” have turned the women's sports debate into a mountain of controversy.
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“Transgender athletes in American sports are such a borderline problem that right-wing players have convinced a large portion of the population in our country that these people are a threat to American sports if the numbers don't exist,” Wilson said.
He went on to say that by putting this issue on stage, politicians in particular are sowing division and “dividing” people who change.
“There are 10 transgender athletes in the entire NCAA,” Wilson said. “I think there are unique questions that can be addressed on an individual basis, but to allow this to take our attention away from housing, health, war, all the other dangerous things in our country is dumb.”
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University of Pennsylvania transgender athlete Lia Thomas swims in the first heat of the 500-meter freestyle at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
There are many things wrong with what Wilson said, namely that transgender athletes in women's sports are a “right wing” issue.
Plenty of sane people on both sides of the aisle have voiced their displeasure at blood men invading women's spaces, so painting this as a right-wing war is absurd.
It is also notable that he goes out of his way to talk about NCAA athletes but nothing about youth or high school sports.
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FILE – In this file photo, 7 Feb. 2019, file photo, Bloomfield High School transgender athlete Terry Miller, second from left, won the final of the 55-meter dash over transgender athlete Andraya Yearwood, far left, and other runners at the Connecticut Girls Class S indoor track meet at Hillhouse High School in New Miventes, a transgender Consticútee in New Havenwood. are banned from participating in girls' sports under a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, by the families of three athletes. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb, File) (AP/GETTY)
While the issue of transgender athletes in college sports is still an issue worth fighting, many people are more concerned about what is happening in youth and high school, something OutKick has covered extensively in the past.
Finally, we seem to be moving from “this doesn't happen” to “it's slowly happening,” representing the classic slide down the proverbial slippery slope.
The most interesting part of all this is how Cunningham and Wilson will work through this difference of opinion.
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Cunningham made his position so clear that he doubled down on it, while Wilson seemed to be on the other side entirely.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of a WNBA game against the Seattle Storm Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
While some political disagreements such as tax rates can be settled amicably, the transgender issue continues to be a hot button.
It remains to be seen how the two will deal with their differences, but suffice it to say that it doesn't sound like it's going to get in the way anytime soon.
