WNBA Admits Security Was ‘Dead Wrong’ to Force Fans Covering Shirts
WNBA Admits Security Wrongly Forced Mom and Daughter to Cover Their Shirts
What Happened at the Game?
Imagine going to a basketball game with your mom, wearing matching shirts to support your favorite player. You’re enjoying the game for three whole quarters. Then suddenly, in overtime, security guards come up to you and say: "Cover up those shirts right now, or you have to leave."
That’s exactly what happened to Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter Annie at a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream in Atlanta on Sunday, August 16th.
Here’s the timeline of what went down:
- They arrived early – Mom and daughter got courtside seats (that means really close to the action!)
- Four quarters, zero problems – They wore their XX-XY Athletics shirts the whole game without anyone saying anything
- Overtime drama – During extra time, a fan complained about their shirts
- Security ultimatum – League security told them: "Put on these Atlanta Dream shirts over yours, or we’re kicking you out"
- Reluctant compliance – To stay and watch the end, they covered up
IMPORTANT POINT: The WNBA officially admitted this was wrong. Their spokesperson said: "This should not have happened."
The Shirts and What They Mean
What do "XX-XY" shirts even mean?
- XX = Typical female chromosomes
- XY = Typical male chromosomes
- XX-XY Athletics is a brand that supports keeping women’s sports for biological females
Why were they wearing them?
They were supporting Sophie Cunningham, a star player for the Indiana Fever. Cunningham spoke up publicly saying biological males shouldn’t compete in women’s sports. The shirts became a symbol of that stance.
The WNBA’s Response
The league didn’t try to hide it. On Monday, a WNBA spokesperson told OutKick:
"The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened."
That’s it. Short. Clear. An admission they messed up.
The Atlanta Dream’s Response
The home team quickly distanced themselves:
- Dream personnel were NOT involved in the decision
- The decision came from WNBA league security, not team staff
- They agreed with the league’s statement that it shouldn’t have happened
- They emphasized their commitment to a "safe and inclusive environment for everyone"
Why This Matters: A Pattern of Similar Incidents
This wasn’t a one-time mistake. It keeps happening.
Three weeks earlier in Seattle:
| What Happened | Who Was Involved | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted two teenage girls wearing XX-XY gear | Seattle Storm minority owner | Fined (amount secret) + suspended from 5 home games |
| Storm organization apologized | Team leadership | Public statement |
The common thread:
- Fans (including moms and teenagers)
- Supporting Sophie Cunningham’s stance
- Wearing XX-XY shirts
- Targeted by team/league representatives
The Bigger Picture: An Identity Crisis for the WNBA
Sophie Cunningham sparked a national conversation
Weeks ago, the Fever guard said she supports keeping biological males out of women’s sports. That started a firestorm.
The league’s reaction has been… complicated
- Formed a task force of team executives to discuss the issue
- Denounced "bad-faith efforts" using the transgender athlete debate to "demean or marginalize others"
- Now security is targeting fans for wearing shirts stating a biological fact
KEY QUESTION: How did a women’s basketball league reach the point where stating biological reality (XX vs XY chromosomes) gets you threatened with ejection?
What the Rules Actually Say
State Farm Arena (where the game was) policy:
- No explicit language
- No profanity
- No derogatory characterizations on clothing
NBA Fan Code of Conduct (applies to WNBA too):
- No obscene or indecent messages on clothing
What security ACTUALLY said:
- Did NOT cite either policy
- Just said the shirts were "offensive"
- Offered no specific rule violation
IMPORTANT POINT: The Thomasons noticed a nearby fan wearing a "Protect Trans Rights" shirt. They couldn’t confirm if security made that fan cover up too, but later saw her jacket zipped over it.
Summary
| Who | What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Kasey & Annie Thomason (mom + teen daughter) | Forced by WNBA security to cover XX-XY shirts or face ejection | Paying fans targeted for supporting women’s sports |
| WNBA League | Officially admitted: "This should not have happened" | Rare clear admission of wrongdoing |
| Atlanta Dream | Said WNBA security acted alone, not team staff | Team tried to protect its reputation |
| Sophie Cunningham | Fever star who supports biological females in women’s sports | Her stance sparked the whole controversy |
| Previous incident | Storm co-owner confronted teens in XX-XY gear weeks earlier | Shows a pattern, not an accident |
The bottom line: A women’s professional sports league used its own security to silence fans wearing shirts that say "XX-XY" – a scientific fact about biological sex. The league admitted it was wrong, but the incident reveals a deeper struggle over what "women’s sports" means in 2026.
FAQ
What does "XX-XY" actually mean on the shirts?
It refers to chromosomes: XX is the typical female pattern, XY is the typical male pattern. The brand XX-XY Athletics advocates for sex-based categories in sports.
Did the shirts have any bad words or hate speech?
No. According to the article and the arena’s own policies, the shirts contained no profanity, explicit language, or derogatory terms. Security didn’t cite any rule violation – just called them "offensive."
Was the other fan (with "Protect Trans Rights" shirt) also forced to cover up?
Unclear. The Thomasons think that fan complained about them. They later saw her jacket zipped over her shirt, but couldn’t confirm if security made her do it.
Has the WNBA explained WHY security did this?
Not yet. OutKick requested more details on:
- What policy security thought was violated
- Whether the league is investigating
- Why security targeted these specific shirts
No additional comment has been provided as of this article.
Is this about transgender athletes in the WNBA?
Indirectly. There are currently no openly transgender players in the WNBA. But the league is grappling with the broader debate about transgender inclusion in women’s sports – and fans wearing XX-XY shirts have become a flashpoint in that conversation.