WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after fan confrontation

WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after fan confrontation

The WNBA has fined and suspended Seattle Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton following a confrontation with two teenage fans during a game against the Indiana Fever on July 28, according to reports from IndyStar and the New York Post.

Keaton approached the two girls, who were seated courtside, and cursed at them. According to the New York Post, Keaton allegedly called the pair f–king insane for their quiet protest. The teenagers were wearing T-shirts that read XX-XY, which the Post described as an implicit message that sports should be separated by sex.

One of the teenagers, Ahnaleigh Wilson, lost a state track meet title to a transgender-identifying male athlete two years ago.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. The fans were showing support for Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who recently stated in an ESPN profile and to Indianapolis media that trans women should not be allowed in women's sports.

Cunningham described her stance as common sense and stated,

"I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. So I stand on what I said, and I’ll always believe that."Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard, via IndyStar

In her ESPN profile, Cunningham further stated that true empathy means not lying about observable reality, adding that she wants to protect young girls in the locker room and that they shouldn’t have to go against biological men.

The WNBA has suspended Keaton for the Storm's next five home games and issued a fine of an undisclosed amount.

Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder addressed the incident in a statement released by the team:

"We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect."Ginny Gilder, Majority Owner, Seattle Storm, via IndyStar

The confrontation followed a rally outside the arena prior to the game, where some fans supported Cunningham's position while others supported transgender athletes. The event was organized by Known Heretic, Brandi Kruse, and Women are Real.

The Indiana Fever distanced the organization from the protest in a statement, noting that neither the team nor Cunningham had any knowledge of the demonstration or contact with its organizers. The Fever stated their goal is to win basketball games and make fans for life.

Following Cunningham's pregame comments, the Fever released a separate statement affirming their commitment to a diverse fanbase. The team noted that their players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own.

Cunningham has remained a featured part of USA Network's halftime show promotion during WNBA broadcasts this week, despite criticism from WNBA writer Lindsay Gibbs on X. According to Fox News reporter Jackson Thompson, a second rally in support of Cunningham was planned for Friday night's game in Portland against the Fire.