WNBA Apparel Controversy
WNBA Apologizes After Security Wrongly Forced Fans to Cover XX-XY Athletics Shirts
Key Points
The incident involved specific fans: Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie, who sat in Floor C Row 3 at State Farm Arena with $1,000 tickets to watch the Fever; security told them to cover the XX XY Athletics shirts or leave, and they complied. Annie asked, “Who is offended by science?” and Kasey said, “I am flabbergasted. It’s the first time I’ve ever experienced anything like that.”
XX-XY Athletics shirts are tied to a broader gender-sports politics debate: the brand was founded by Jennifer Sey to support women’s sports and spaces, and has drawn support from athletes including Riley Gaines and Sophie Cunningham.
Sophie Cunningham publicly supported keeping biological men out of women’s sports, saying it’s essential to protect young girls in locker rooms and in sport; her stance contributed to online backlash surrounding the incident.
The WNBA admitted a security mistake after fans were forced to cover shirts at a Fever-Dream game in Atlanta. Seattle Times reported that at least three fans were told by WNBA security to cover their XX-XY Athletics shirts or leave State Farm Arena during the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream game.
The league said the incident "should not have happened." The Atlanta Dream quickly made clear that its own staff played no part in the decision. The security order came from WNBA personnel, not the team.
Fans Told to Cover Shirts or Get Out
Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie wore XX-XY Athletics shirts to the game. They had $1,000 floor-level tickets, sitting in Floor C, Row 3. Security approached them and said: cover the shirts or leave. They covered them. Annie asked, "Who is offended by science?" Kasey said, "I am flabbergasted. It's the first time I've ever experienced anything like that."
WHEC reported that three fans total were approached by security during the game. The XX-XY Athletics shirts carry messaging about biological sex in sports — a topic tied to ongoing national debate about transgender women competing in women's leagues.
WNBA and Dream Distance Themselves From Security Call
After the story spread online, the WNBA issued a statement saying fans should have been free to wear the shirts. The league said the security interaction was a mistake. Just Women's Sports reported that the Atlanta Dream separately clarified its staff were not involved — pointing directly at WNBA security personnel as responsible.
Both the league and the team reaffirmed commitments to a "safe and inclusive" environment. But the statements did little to slow online backlash. Critics said the security action amounted to censorship of a lawful message.
XX-XY Athletics and Sophie Cunningham at the Center
XX-XY Athletics was founded by Jennifer Sey to support women's sports and sex-based protections for female athletes. Riley Gaines, a vocal advocate on the issue, has backed the brand publicly. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has also shown support for the brand and its message.
Cunningham has said keeping biological men out of women's sports is essential to protect young girls — in locker rooms and in competition. Her outspoken stance made her a lightning rod during the Fever's 2025 season. The shirt incident tied directly to her presence in Atlanta for the Fever game.
Incident Reignites Debate Over Arena Speech Policies
The episode raised sharp questions about what messages are allowed inside WNBA arenas. Seattle Times noted that the league has worked to be publicly inclusive of LGBTQ+ fans and players. Critics argue that silencing XX-XY shirts goes against free expression — even if the league's intent was to prevent conflict.
Just Women's Sports reported that fans wearing pro-trans shirts were also present at the same game with no security interaction. That contrast fueled accusations of uneven enforcement. The WNBA has not yet said what steps it will take to prevent similar incidents going forward.
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