Libertys Breanna Stewart bullish on superpower WNBA must protect as trans athlete debate sparks rallies
Breanna Stewart wanted to wait.After Friday’s practice, with Saturday’s Liberty-Fever tilt already carrying the usual weight of a marquee WNBA game, Stewart was asked about the competing rallies planned outside Barclays Center ahead of tip-off.“I honestly would love to weigh in tomorrow,” Stewart said. Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.Saturday morning, she did. Less than 24 hours later, Stewart gathered with a small group of reporters, including The Post, for an in-depth conversation about the scheduled demonstrations, the WNBA’s approach to transgender inclusion and what she believes the league should protect as its audience continues to grow. Her central message was less about choosing a side than refusing to let the debate fracture what she views as one of the league’s defining qualities, which is its ability to make people feel they belong. “The inclusivity [of the league] is the big thing for me,” Stewart said.
“I don’t want to turn anyone away at the door because that’s not right either.But I know for a fact that people have safe space here when they come to these games, and that’s something that… is really precious, and you have to hold on to and make sure that doesn’t change.”Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s comment in an ESPN article published last month, in which she said she wants “to protect … young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” ignited a firestorm that put the WNBA on center stage of a contentious political debate. In the subsequent weeks, rallies in support of Cunningham and “protect girls in sport” have been scheduled outside Fever games, including in Seattle, Dallas and Chicago.
Counterprotests supporting transgender inclusion have also been planned.Outside Barclays Center Saturday is expected to be the next host side of both demonstrations. “Knowing that ...