‘Doesn’t sound super inclusive’: Jake and Spike react to Seattle Storm co-owner allegedly cursing at teens in XX-XY shirts

Sophie Cunningham’s presence in Seattle, when the Indiana Fever came into town to take on the Seattle Storm, led to a tumultuous, protest-filled night that culminated in one of the Storm owners allegedly yelling and berating two girls sitting courtside wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and holding a sign that read “Thank you, Sophie, for speaking up for girls!”.

Cunningham, 29, is a WNBA veteran who previously spoke out about the “common sense” regarding female athletes not playing “against biological men.”

“Here is the issue: Sophie Cunningham came out and made a comment, and the WNBA is very much about inclusivity from top to bottom,” KIRO host Spike O’Neill said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “She spoke to the integrity of women’s sports with regard to transgender athletes competing against biological females. She and I share that same perspective. The two young girls at the game last night, they’re entitled to their opinions and their opinions should be respected.”

Game drew dueling demonstrations inside and outside the arena

As the Fever were in town, members of the Seattle Storm donned pro-trans rights apparel, while supporters of Cunningham’s remarks gathered for a “With Love is Truth” fan rally outside of the arena.

🗣️🗣️🗣️@AlaskaAir | Arrivals pic.twitter.com/IruaBJsY4J

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2026

Brandi Kruse, host of the podcast Undivided, spoke with the two girls after the game, asking them to describe the intense moment where Celeste Keaton, co-owner of the Storm, allegedly called the girls “f****** insane,” and stated she “hopes God can save [them].”

Last night, @seattlestorm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed out two teen girls for wearing @xx_xyathletics shirts, calling them “f*cking insane.” One of them was left in tears. I tried to get security involved and was told I should email the front office. pic.twitter.com/Qi8TcfRtYB

— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) July 29, 2026

Spike noted that although he does not share the girls’ opinions about gender duality or that there are two sexes, he believed that the girls were not given the same inclusive treatment that the organization boasts.

“They’re in the most inclusive environment in the city of Seattle, which is a Seattle Storm game,” Spike said. “No one should speak ill to them, curse at them, poke at them, someone spit at them, I heard. Someone said they were tripped as they were trying to leave. It doesn’t speak to inclusivity at all. It was out of bounds. Completely inappropriate.”

“Except for [the two girls],” KIRO host Jake Skorheim responded. “Bad look. Doesn’t sound super inclusive. It’s not a super controversial message, right? The message that they were supporting Sophie Cunningham? But the response to them was quite controversial.”

Seattle Storm have since apologized for co-owner’s comments

The Seattle Storm have since acknowledged the co-owner’s comments and issued an apology.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game,” Storm Majority Owner Ginny Gilder told Front Office Sports in a statement. “We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”

Neither Caitlin Clark nor Cunningham was made available to answer postgame questions regarding the rally that took place, and an advisor stated that the two would only answer questions regarding basketball.

KIRO Newsradio reached out to the Seattle Storm for additional comments.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3