Sophie Cunningham Advocates for Fairness in Women’s Sports

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has made a public call to safeguard girls’ sports from the participation of biological men. Despite facing criticism, Cunningham reaffirms her commitment to protect young girls in sports environments, such as locker rooms, where they might compete against biological men. Her stance on transgender athletes in sports remains a point of contention, evident from her past actions like retweeting a CBS Sports host. Meanwhile, French trans basketball player Julie Tétart, renowned for her scoring and rebounding, anticipates interest from inclusive WNBA teams.

In the 2025-26 season with a team in Monaco, Tétart led the French women’s basketball Ligue 2. The player averaged an impressive 21 points and 20 rebounds per game, setting records in both categories. Tétart transitioned in October 2021, and her performance drew significant attention within the league.

In conversation with OutKick, Tétart mentioned skepticism about her chances of joining the WNBA. Despite an outstanding season, French media was surprised when she did not win the league MVP, although she secured multiple player awards. Allegations of bias in MVP voting have surfaced, particularly in relation to other older trans players like Aurore Pautou, who also faced exclusion from postseason accolades.

“Despite top-tier athletic performance on the court during the 2025/2026 season by Julie and Aurore, voters for the Ligue 2 Féminine de Basket Awards deliberately decided not to grant them any awards,” noted activist group TRANSpire on Instagram.

Former WNBA player Audrey Sauret expressed concerns over the fairness of competition in professional sports. Sauret highlighted the potential negative impact on younger athletes. Her cautionary remarks reflect broader discussions about maintaining equitability in sports across genders.

Trans athletes are sometimes criticized for potentially altering competitive dynamics. During one notable game in March, Tétart set a new league record with 30 rebounds, surpassing her previous record while scoring 21 points. Discussions surrounding the inclusion of trans athletes continue to challenge norms within professional sports.

Tétart, although open to the idea of joining the WNBA, shared skepticism due to political barriers she perceives in the U.S. Despite these concerns, she emphasized readiness to consider any potential offers from the league.

Sophie Cunningham remains firm in her belief that biological males should not participate in women’s sports. When asked about this perspective, Tétart’s response was simple: “None.” As the WNBA navigates inclusion policies and public perceptions, the possibility of a matchup between Tétart and Cunningham could test the league’s commitments.