Seattle Storm owner suspended after fan confrontation
A Seattle Storm owner, minority co-owner Celeste Keaton, was suspended from the next five home games and the team was fined after she verbally confronted two teenage fans supporting Sophie Cunningham at Tuesday's Climate Pledge Arena loss to the Indiana Fever. Majority owner Ginny Gilder apologized Wednesday. The WNBA confirmed the discipline after the exchange during Seattle's 105-95 defeat, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
- Celeste Keaton was suspended from five home games; the Storm were fined an undisclosed amount.
- Two teenage fans supporting Sophie Cunningham said Keaton used expletives over a thank-you sign.
- Majority owner Ginny Gilder apologized and said every Storm fan deserves to feel welcome.
- Cunningham called the co-owner's conduct "truly embarrassing" and urged kindness amid disagreement.
- A pregame rally outside Climate Pledge Arena backed Cunningham and a Washington ballot initiative.
What did the Seattle Storm owner do at the game?
Reports identify minority co-owner Celeste Keaton as the Seattle Storm owner involved. The Storm initially did not name which co-owner took part, but journalist Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod.com reported it was Keaton after speaking with the two fans.
Those fans had been at a pregame gathering and sat courtside. They carried a sign thanking Cunningham "for speaking up for girls." Kruse reported that Keaton directed expletives at them, and Fox News Digital said she allegedly called the teens "f---ing insane."
The incident unfolded during Tuesday's home loss to the Indiana Fever. Ahead of tipoff, a few dozen people gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to support Cunningham and promote statewide ballot initiative IL26-638, which would bar transgender students from girls' athletics at Washington schools.
Some attendees carried signs for Cunningham or wore T-shirts depicting XX and XY chromosomes. Some were also inside the arena during the game. Cunningham had voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports in an ESPN article published last week.
How did the Storm and WNBA respond?
Gilder released a statement Wednesday: "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."
The WNBA suspended Keaton from attending the team's next five home games and fined the team an undisclosed amount, The Seattle Times reported. Follow more celebrity breaking news at BlasterPost.
Storm coach Sonia Raman said Seattle and Climate Pledge want people to feel welcome and that the organization worked with arena security so guests feel safe and included. The Storm (6-24) were on a seven-game losing streak and begin a four-game road trip Friday, with seven home games remaining.
What did Sophie Cunningham say after the fan incident?
Cunningham was not made available by the Fever after Tuesday's game. On Wednesday she denounced what Keaton reportedly did, writing on X that she believes there is "a safe space and love for EVERYBODY," including biological girls and boys and trans women and men.
"Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind," she wrote. "Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You'll be hearing from me soon ... yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is."
A Fever public relations representative said neither the organization nor Cunningham had knowledge of the demonstration or contact with its organizers, and that the team's only goal is to win games and make Fever fans for life. Full reporting is also available from ESPN.