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The Indiana Fever have already clinched a spot in the 2026 WNBA playoffs, and the team’s big three of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aaliyah Boston are playing their best ball down the home stretch of the season. However, a lot of the discourse this season has surrounded reserve guard Sophie Cunningham and her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in an ESPN profile that was published on July 21. “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.” A few days later, Cunningham doubled down on her stance to local media. “I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said. The comments sparked a nationwide debate on the role of trans athletes in women’s sports, with everyone from sports media to opposing coaches to the White House weighing in. However, in an effort to quell the resulting media storm that has surrounded the franchise, Cunningham has since called for the focus to return to the basketball being played on the floor, night in and night out, in the WNBA. The Fever are attempting to back her on that, and have decided to officially launch a media campaign for her to be considered for this year’s sixth player of the year award. Sophie Cunningham for 6th Player of the Year 😮💨 she has been averaging 8.4 PPG, 47.6 FG% (career high) & 44.1 3P% (no. 3 in the WNBA & career high) this season. pic.twitter.com/83IPeihXXv — Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 28, 2026 Cunningham is having a career year off the bench, so she’ll likely receive some votes, but at this point the award feels like it’s Golden State Valkyries guard Janelle Salaun’s to lose.