Valkyries Coach: Sports Are For Everyone

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has stated that sports are fundamentally about inclusivity, welcoming everyone to be their authentic selves. Her comments address the ongoing debate ignited by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham's remarks questioning the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.

Nakase, the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA, shared that this issue is personal, having faced criticism for her own identity. She is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for the Golden State Valkyries, asserting that women's and girls' sports should include trans women.

This sentiment is echoed by other WNBA coaches, including Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve, who wore a "Trans Kids Belong" shirt and criticized the narrative that transgender athletes pose the biggest problem in women's sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker noted that fewer than 10 transgender athletes compete among over 500,000 college athletes.

Despite broad support for inclusion, Cunningham has faced backlash, even from her podcast co-host, West Wilson, who called her stance on a "borderline non-existent issue" isolating. However, Cunningham has received some support from figures like Tomi Lahren, who defended Cunningham's position on maintaining women's sports for biological women.