Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is at the center of a renewed WNBA debate after comments made in an ESPN feature about “protect[ing] women’s sports” drew widespread backlash online. Multiple outlets report Cunningham refused to apologize when asked to clarify her stance, and said she did not intend to express anti-transgender hate, even as the dispute continued to spread.

The controversy is also linked to broader league attention, with outlets reporting increased viewership for Fever games amid the uproar. CBS News ties the renewed focus to an incident involving Seattle Storm co-owner Briahna Jones, who was fined after a heated exchange with fans connected to Cunningham’s controversy. Yahoo Sports reports the Women’s National Basketball Players Association denounces “hate, abuse, and demonization” of transgender people and urges fans to report hateful rhetoric, without taking a position on eligibility rules. Some coverage also notes Cunningham’s and teammates’ calls to refocus coverage on basketball rather than the off-court debate.