Seattle Storm Apologizes After Co-Owner Confronts Fans Over Cunningham Support The Seattle Storm issued an apology on Wednesday following an incident involving one of its co-owners and fans during a game against the Indiana Fever. The altercation, which occurred the previous night, involved a demonstration outside Climate Pledge Arena and escalated during the match. The team’s statement acknowledged the situation but did not specify the exact nature of the exchange or which co-owner was involved. However, media reports indicated that co-owner Celeste Keaton was implicated in the incident. The incident began with a group of supporters gathering outside the arena ahead of the game to show solidarity with Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. The group, which included a few dozen individuals, carried signs in support of Cunningham and promoted a statewide ballot initiative, IL26-638, aimed at prohibiting transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics in Washington schools. Some members of the group wore T-shirts featuring XX and XY chromosome symbols, and several were present inside the arena during the game. Cunningham, who has publicly expressed support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published the week prior, became a focal point of the demonstration. The Storm’s apology followed reports that Keaton directed expletives at two fans who were part of the group. According to an interview with Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod.com, the fans, who were courtside during the game, described how Keaton confronted them for holding a sign thanking Cunningham for “speaking up for girls.” Cunningham herself responded to the incident, condemning Keaton’s actions in a post on X.#climate_pledge_arena #sophie_cunningham #seattle_storm #celeste_keaton #il26_638
