Sophie Cunningham’s supporters held a rally outside the Indiana Fever’s game in Portland, where they were met by counter-protesters, while some fans inside booed her. The reaction reflects how Cunningham’s public comments supporting restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sport have made her a divisive figure within the WNBA.

The gathering took place on Friday as the Fever played the Portland Fire, one of the league’s newer expansion teams. The article characterises Portland as politically liberal and says Cunningham’s stance has drawn support from women’s-sport advocates as well as criticism from opponents and some WNBA fans.