Seattle Storm owner ‘verbally berated and cursed’ at teen girls supporting Sophie Cunningham at game
A troubling incident occurred at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night involving Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton and two teenage fans. The girls were in attendance to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, holding signs that expressed their approval of the athlete. According to witness accounts, Keaton approached the teenagers and engaged in a verbal confrontation. The young fans reported that the team owner screamed at them and used profanity, an interaction that left at least one of the girls in tears.
The teenagers stated they were sitting quietly in their seats and were not disrupting the game or interacting with other attendees. The incident occurred against the backdrop of recent public discourse regarding comments Cunningham made about her views on women's sports and biological participation. Supporters of Cunningham had organized a gathering outside the arena before the tip-off.
Following the reports of the confrontation, the Seattle Storm organization has addressed the matter. Efforts to resolve the situation on-site were unsuccessful, as bystanders attempting to report the behavior to arena security were directed to contact the front office instead. The event has drawn significant attention as it highlights the friction between team leadership and fans over the ongoing debates currently surrounding professional sports.