Columnist Resigns Over Unpublished Piece on Women’s Sports Activism

The Seattle Times experienced the resignation of sports columnist Matt Calkins, following a dispute over an unrun article on women’s sports activism. Calkins, after 11 years with the newspaper, expressed dissatisfaction as he felt unable to fulfill his role properly due to editorial decisions.

The focal point of his column was two Washington student-athletes opposing the participation of transgender girls in female sports. This issue gained national attention when these athletes attended a Seattle Storm WNBA game, advocating for Sophie Cunningham’s stance on protecting women’s sports. Calkins argued that promoting sex-separated athletic competitions does not inherently signal hostility towards transgender individuals.

A specific incident occurred during the game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena on July 28, 2026, where fans displayed support for Sophie Cunningham. Reflecting on his experience, Calkins shared with Fox News Digital the editorial process he faced. After submitting his article, it was reviewed and discussed extensively, ending with a decision against publication, citing lack of prior notice.

Calkins wanted to highlight the voices of girls who oppose the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, feeling that these voices are often curtailed in media coverage. He noted a pattern of rejected columns whenever they challenged the status quo.

Despite his frustrations, Calkins showed respect for his editors, acknowledging the difficulties in editorial decision-making. However, he mentioned limitations to exploring diverse opinions due to concerns about backlash.

“I couldn’t do my job as a columnist because I feel like they were stifling my voice,” Calkins stated.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach the Seattle Times for comments but did not receive a response.

The controversy surrounding Calkins began before a July 28 match as he attended a rally supporting Sophie Cunningham, who publicly opposes the participation of transgender women in women’s sports. He interviewed athletes like Ahnaleigh Wilson and Frances Staudt, who shared their experiences competing with transgender athletes and their personal decisions in these situations.

A tense situation arose when Wilson alleged confrontational behavior from Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton, leading to public apologies and WNBA sanctions against Keaton.

As Washington gears up for voting on Initiative IL26-638 in November, a measure delineating eligibility based on biological sex in school sports, the political discourse around protecting fairness and safety in girl’s sports versus discriminatory measures against transgender students intensifies.

Calkins, after his resignation, continues independent writing, eyeing future ventures that allow him to express his views freely.

Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers political and cultural sports issues with an investigative approach. Thompson’s work, recognized by federal actions and major news outlets, adds depth to his coverage.