Caitlin Clark declined to weigh in Sunday on the growing national debate over transgender participation in women’s sports, instead saying the issue should be addressed by sports governing bodies rather than individual players.
Clark was asked about the topic during a postgame media session following renewed attention on comments made by her Indiana Fever teammate, Sophie Cunningham, who recently argued that biological males should not compete in women’s sports.
“I think for us, like, you know, it’s not really a discussion we really have in our locker room,” Clark said in video shared on X.
“I think it’s for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions,” she continued.
Caitlin Clark dodges question on protecting women’s sports.
“It’s for the leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions.” pic.twitter.com/LZSx91D4XX
— Jackson Thompson (@JackThompsonFOX) August 2, 2026
Clark redirected the conversation back to basketball, saying the team’s immediate concern was improving its play after the loss.
“But our focus is on basketball and that’s what we talk about and how we can get wins. And obviously we didn’t do that tonight. So you need to find an area to improve in that way.”
When a reporter attempted to revisit the subject with a follow-up question, Clark ended the exchange.
“I just answered for you,” she replied.
Clark’s comments come as the issue has become one of the most discussed topics surrounding the WNBA, with players, coaches, and commentators offering sharply different perspectives.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve publicly responded to Cunningham’s remarks by wearing a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt, according to KMSP-TV.
Reeve rejected the characterization that transgender women pose a threat in women’s locker rooms.
“It is not the case that we have, quote, biological men in girls’ locker rooms, the way it’s being phrased, the innuendo there that somehow transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room,” she said. “There’s a lot of narrative that is problematic that we need to address. That is simply not what’s happening.”
She also framed the discussion as one centered on participation in youth sports.
“Number one, we need to protect trans kids, every kid,” Reeve said. “To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports. Regardless of gender diverse, transgender. Every kid has the right to access.”
According to Reeve, she and Cunningham discussed the issue before Sunday’s game.
“I think it’s great. I think both of us understand we have platforms. We both talked about wanting to, more than anything, educate. There are some things we have in common, maybe some things you differ on, just like any issues. I think it’s how you handle things. It was nice to be in-person for sure.”
Cunningham has remained at the center of the debate since making comments supporting restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sports. During the Fever’s recent road trip, she was met by both protesters and supporters outside arenas in Portland, Seattle, and Minneapolis.
Despite the attention surrounding her remarks, Cunningham said she has tried to remain focused on basketball and the people around her.
“I think everyone who knows me personally, they know that I’m full of love. I’m bubbly. I love the people around me,” Cunningham told ESPN on Friday.
“I love basketball. I love inspiring the next generation and doing that in a positive light. And so that doesn’t even cross my mind. Doesn’t cross my teammates’ minds.”
