Riley Gaines Claims Target Center Staff Attempted to Censor Sign

WHO:

Fox News - Riley Gaines, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, XX-XY Athletics owner Jennifer Sey

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Sophie Cunningham, Cheryl Reeve

WHAT:

Fox News - Riley Gaines displayed a sign reading, "Sophie, thank you — a girl mom," at a WNBA game.

Fox News - An arena staffer instructed Gaines to take down her sign because it contained Cunningham’s name.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" shirt during the game.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Cunningham stated she wanted to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

Fox News - The Target Center's policy allows signs under 11 x 17 inches, pending approval, and does not prohibit signs with player names.

WHERE:

Fox News - Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington

WHEN:

Fox News - The game occurred on a Sunday, with Gaines arriving at Target Center around 11:40 a.m. local time, approximately 20 minutes before tipoff.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - The game against the Indiana Fever took place on July 28, 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - Gaines attended the game to support Cunningham, who has faced criticism for her comments on women's sports and transgender athletes.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Reeve expressed the importance of protecting trans kids and ensuring access to sports for all children.

HOW:

Fox News - Gaines measured her sign to ensure it complied with the arena's size restrictions before entering.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul - Reeve encouraged the WNBA to establish a policy regarding transgender athletes in sports.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 12:58 UTC)

At a recent WNBA game at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Riley Gaines showed her support for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham by displaying a sign that read, "Sophie, thank you — a girl mom." However, an arena staffer asked Gaines to remove the sign because it included Cunningham’s name, even though the arena's policy allows signs under certain size restrictions and does not prohibit names. Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" shirt and emphasized the need for a policy on transgender athletes in sports, while Cunningham reiterated her commitment to protecting young girls in athletics.