Seattle Storm co-owner suspended after fan confrontation
Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton has been fined and suspended from attending the team's next five home games, the WNBA confirmed to ABC News on Thursday.
The league did not cite the reason for Keaton's suspension, nor the amount of the fine.
Keaton allegedly confronted fans at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena who were holding signs in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham on Tuesday, following Cunningham's comments about transgender athletes, according to ESPN.
A spokesperson for the Storm told ABC News in a statement Thursday that they "respect the league's decision to fine and suspend" Keaton.
"We remain committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for anyone who attends a Storm game," the statement read.
The team faced off with the Fever in Seattle on Tuesday. Fans were photographed at the game and in protests outside Climate Pledge Arena holding signs in support of and opposed to remarks made by Cunningham in an ESPN article published July 21.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham told ESPN in that interview. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Cunningham later doubled down on her remarks, telling reporters the day after the article was published, "I said what I said," according to ESPN.
Cunningham took to social media on Wednesday to comment on Keaton's alleged confrontation with fans, writing, "Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is."
"I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind," Cunningham wrote in a post on X. "Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You'll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts."
ABC News has reached out to the Fever for comment on the WNBA's decision to suspend Keaton.
The WNBA has not instituted a formal ban on transgender athletes. Last year, the NCAA instituted a ban on transgender athletes participating in women's college sports.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News and ESPN.
