WNBA Co-Owner Suspended After Fan Confrontation

A Seattle Storm co-owner has been sidelined after a confrontation with teenage fans, the latest twist in a WNBA controversy over trans athletes. The league on Thursday suspended Celeste Keaton from the Storm's next five home games and fined her an undisclosed amount following an exchange Tuesday with two girls wearing shirts featuring XX and XY chromosomes, reports the Athletic. The teens said Keaton approached them in the stands, swore at them, and called them "insane" during the game against the Indiana Fever.

The dustup came in Indiana's first game since guard Sophie Cunningham drew attention for reiterating to ESPN that it's "common sense" to keep transgender athletes out of women's sports. The issue is a hot topic in Washington state, where a ballot initiative in November would bar trans students from competing in girls' sports, notes the AP. The girls confronted by Keaton were supporting Cunningham's comments, as were others who showed up at the game with signs.

The Storm has issued an apology over the confrontation, with majority owner Ginny Gilder saying every fan "deserves to feel welcome." Cunningham, responding on X, called Keaton's behavior "truly embarrassing," adding, "You can disagree and still be kind."