Riley Gaines says Target Center staffer tried to shut down her Sophie Cunningham sign

Key Points:

• Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans kids belong" shirt during a game against the Indiana Fever, signaling her support for transgender athletes, while Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who opposes transgender participation in women's sports, was booed by fans.
• Riley Gaines attended the game to support Cunningham and displayed a small sign reading "Sophie, thank you — a girl mom," but an arena staffer asked her to remove it, citing a policy against signs containing player names, which Gaines disputed as inconsistent with Target Center's official signage rules.
• Despite public hostility and booing toward Cunningham and her supporters, Gaines reported receiving private support from many fans inside the arena, including photo requests and positive interactions, suggesting a divide between vocal opposition and quieter backing.
• After the game, Cunningham met with Gaines and supporters, showing confidence in her stance despite the negative reception, and even held the sign that arena staff had initially tried to remove from Gaines.
• Target Center's official policy allows handheld signs under 11x17 inches without prohibiting player names, and the Lynx organization did not respond to inquiries about the specific reasons behind the staffer's request to remove Gaines' sign.