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A Megan Rapinoe vs. Sophie Cunningham debate broke out on social media this week.
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Rapinoe, who has been a staunch supporter of transgender athletes in women’s sports, obviously disagrees with Cunningham, who spoke out against transgender athletes competing against biological females in women’s sports. Cunningham stands by her opinion.
In an ESPN feature, Cunningham stated that she wants to “protect young girls in the locker room” and that “they shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said to reporters before Indiana’s 123-88 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
In the wake of Cunningham and Rapinoe voicing their opinions, a debate broke out on social media.
“Parents, pray every day that your daughters grow up to be like Sophie Cunningham and not Megan Rapinoe!” a post with 9.4 million views on X read.
But Rapinoe supporters are reminding Cunningham’s fans: These two are not remotely in the same class of athletes.
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Rapinoe was a world-class soccer player, while Cunningham is a middling player in the WNBA
Rapinoe is a gold medalist, World Cup champion and was at one point considered arguably the top women’s soccer player in the world.
Cunningham, meanwhile, is a role player averaging less than 10 points per game.
“So you want your daughters to be unsuccessful,” one Rapinoe supporter wrote.
“Praying my daughter avg 7 points a game instead of winning a ballon d’or,” one fan added.
“What if I want my daughter to win 2 World Cups and Olympic gold?” one fan added.
“Praying my daughter is a career 8 ppg scorer and part time UFC ring girl instead of an all-time great to own the libs,” another fan joked.
“40 years from now, we will still be talking about Megan Rapinoe’s impact on the game and American culture. Cunningham will be remembered for about 10 years after she retires, and only as a meme and podcast host,” one fan added.
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The debate continues, unsurprisingly.
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This story was originally published July 26, 2026 at 9:28 AM.