At Tuesday night’s WNBA game between the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever, demonstrators gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash., to show support for outspoken Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has recently garnered significant press for her support of legislation that bans transgender women in female sports.
Several demonstrators told ESPN that while they were at the game, Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton directed expletives at them. They say Keaton alleged called them “f****** insane” and said “Jesus loves everyone.”
Following the game, Storm co-owner Finny Gilder said, "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."
Since Tuesday night, the WNBA announced Keaton would be suspended for the next five home games and fined an undisclosed amount for her inappropriate behavior toward the demonstrators.
Cunningham, who did not play on Tuesday night, later showed support for the girls on social media.
"We respect the league's decision to fine and suspend co-owner Celeste Keaton," the Storm said in a statement Thursday. "We remain committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for anyone who attends a Storm game."
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Seattle Storm head coach Sonia Raman briefly addressed the incident as well, saying, "Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building. I think we've always done a really good job with that. So I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.”
