Sophie Cunningham has established herself as one of the most polarizing figures in the WNBA with her comments on the trans-athlete debate. Now, another off-court controversy regarding the Indiana Fever star has blown up, and it’s about the pregame national anthem.
Cunningham stood out compared to her teammates, and Turning Point USA took notice, praising the WNBA star.
Turning Point USA Hails Sophie Cunningham After WNBA National Anthem Controversy
The Fever faced the Atlanta Dream in a crucial game on Sunday. Before the game, the players’ actions during the national anthem came into question. The Fever took the court in Atlanta for the customary national anthem during which Cunningham stood out.
In the clip, which has gone viral on social media, Cunningham was the only Fever player seen with her hand on her heart, a gesture noticed by multiple outlets, including the right-wing non-profit group Turning Point USA.
“Just your daily reminder: it’s okay to love America,” Turning Point USA wrote on X, reacting to a video of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream roster did not take the court while the anthem was playing, according to multiple fan accounts and analysts on social media.
According to WNBA rules, players must be on the court during the national anthem. “Players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem,” the rulebook says.
However, the league has not yet taken any action on the Atlanta Dream, and there is little precedent for action against teams that break this rule. Amid this controversy, Cunningham stood out with her actions.
Cunningham has been in the news for her views on trans athletes in the WNBA. The Fever guard made her stance against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports known last month, sparking a nationwide debate on the issue.
Since Cunningham made her comments, fans on both sides of the issue have held rallies outside arenas before Fever games. The controversy did not stop at the national anthem on Sunday, as two fans were asked to cover up their XX-XY Athletics shirts or risk being kicked out of the game.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.