Longtime ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith dedicated a segment of his Tuesday podcast to criticizing Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. The commentary followed a controversial decision by Reeve to wear a shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Trans Kids Belong” during a recent game against the Indiana Fever.
The shirt served as a direct response to comments made by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has publicly stated her belief that biological male athletes should not compete in women’s sports. Cunningham specifically cited safety concerns regarding young female athletes sharing locker rooms with transgender individuals. On his program, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” the analyst argued that Cunningham’s stance was intended to advocate for fair competition rather than to discriminate against transgender people. Smith asserted that “females are being screwed over” and suggested that Reeve should make a greater effort to understand the perspective offered by the Fever guard.
The debate has drawn broader attention within the league, with Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase publicly siding with Reeve on Monday. Despite the public tension, Reeve and Cunningham did hold a private conversation prior to their weekend game. While the specific details of their discussion remain undisclosed, Reeve characterized the interaction as productive.
Following the game, the Lynx coach addressed the media, emphasizing that while she and Cunningham hold fundamentally opposing views, their disagreement does not necessitate a hostile relationship. Reeve maintained that it is possible for individuals with conflicting opinions to engage in civil, constructive dialogue without allowing the situation to escalate into personal animosity.
Although they talked in public, no one knew what was said between them.
After the contest, Reeve was asked about how her conversation with the Fever star went.
