Legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma recently shared his thoughts on the recent transgender debate taking over the WNBA. During the conversation, Auriemma slammed those people making the topic of transgender athletes competing against biological women an issue for “personal gain.” His comments come weeks after Indiana Fever backup guard Sophie Cunningham voiced her disapproval on the matter.
Geno Auriemma Isn’t Here For People ‘Making A Big Issue’ Over Something That ‘Doesn’t Exist’
According to The Blast, there have been recent conversations surrounding transgender athletes and why some believe they shouldn’t be able to compete against biological women. The conversation blew up and began dominating headlines after Cunningham said the following: “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Auriemma weighed in on the matter, per TMZ, and implied that he was ready to move on from the topic because it’s not an issue that exists. “Well, not to belittle it at all because I don’t mean to because listen, you know, people have a right to their opinion. I get it,” he said. “But why are we making a big issue over an issue that doesn’t exist?”
Geno Auriemma Says Critics Are Using This Moment For ‘Personal Gain’
Auriemma echoed what many other people have said, considering there are currently no transgender athletes competing in the WNBA, and according to the NCAA president, there were fewer than 10 out of 500,000 college athletes in December 2024.
“I don’t remember reading where there’s transsexual players in the WNBA. I don’t remember reading where they were being presented with cases where this is going to happen next week. I don’t see an issue. Why are we making it an issue?” Auriemma said.
Auriemma went further and said that people are using the topic to bring attention to themselves. “We’re making it an issue because there’s enough people out there that need this to be an issue for their own personal gain,” he said.
Geno Auriemma Said The Media Should Focus On This One Thing
The number of eyes on the WNBA and its players right now is higher than ever, largely because of the surge of viewers and fans that young players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have brought to the game. In addition, the women recently signed a historic collective bargaining agreement, which introduced them to million-dollar salaries and major upgrades.
Auriemma wants to talk about that, saying, “I think we should talk about the players. We should talk about the teams. We should talk about the incredible young group of players that have come into the league. We should talk about how incredible some of these teams are.”
The WNBA Slams ‘Bad Faith Efforts’ Made By Critics To Sow Discord In The League
The debate has drawn responses from people far and wide, including right-wing media personalities such as Tomi Lahren and Megyn Kelly. WNBA coaches themselves and sports analysts like Stephen A. Smith have also commented.
Recently, two former NBA players, Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom, have seemingly made a mockery of the ongoing conversation by claiming to be transgender in order to declare for the draft.
A WNBA hate-task force recently met earlier this week to discuss the ongoing conversation and determined there were “no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA.”
A spokesperson also said that the WNBA denounces the “bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
A Much-Needed Break Is Coming To The WNBA Soon
In the coming weeks, the WNBA will have a two-week break while several of the league’s biggest stars head to Germany to compete in the FIBA World Cup. In addition to Clark and Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard will also be part of the roster.
“So thankful to represent USA and compete alongside my Rhy for a gold medal. Such an honor, and I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity. Let’s go!!” Reese wrote on X, per The Blast.
The Geno Auriemma Slams Critics Making Trans Debate An Issue For ‘Personal Gain’ first appeared on The Blast