Alliance Defending Freedom warns WNBA of legal liability

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has issued a formal warning to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, suggesting the league could face legal liability for its treatment of fans expressing views on women’s sports. The conservative legal group cited two recent incidents involving supporters of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

In the first incident, security at an Atlanta Dream game requested that a mother and daughter cover clothing featuring XX-XY Athletics branding. The WNBA later acknowledged the encounter, stating, “This should not have happened.” In a separate incident in Seattle, a Storm co-owner was suspended and fined after reportedly berating teenage fans holding signs for Cunningham.

ADF legal counsel Suzanne Beecher argued that because many stadiums utilize public funds, the league may be subject to First Amendment and public accommodations laws. The organization is calling for the WNBA to implement clearer policies and ensure security personnel enforce rules equally to protect fans' rights to peaceful expression.