Claim: Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines remarked that WNBA fans in Minneapolis were a “bunch of disgruntled lesbians.”
Rating: Correct Attribution
In September 2026, social media posts spread across platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram alleging that conservative commentator and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines described the WNBA fan base in Minneapolis as a “bunch of disgruntled lesbians.”
Clips shared alongside the claim featured Gaines stating:
“I went to the WNBA game in Minneapolis… it was a bunch of disgruntled lesbians. It felt like the entire arena was booing Sophie Cunningham.”
Public records confirm that Gaines did indeed make these comments during a September 5 appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show.” Consequently, the claim has been rated as correctly attributed.
The remarks arose during a discussion led by host Tomi Lahren, who questioned why the WNBA has hesitated to formally define the word “woman.” Lahren asked whether the reluctance stemmed from having players who might not fit that criteria, a desire to avoid alienating a significant portion of their LGBTQ+ fan base, or a combination of both.
Gaines responded:
“I’m sure it’s a little bit of both. I can tell you. I went to the WNBA game in Minneapolis. Which you can expect… what the fanbase as it pertains to the WNBA in that city looks like. And it was a bunch of, like, disgruntled lesbians. And I think that the WNBA as a league, organizationally they recognize that. It felt like virtually everyone in that arena, first of all, you audibly heard it, anytime Sophie was subbed in, stepped on the court, touched the ball, threw up a shot, her name was announced on the loudspeakers… you heard the entire arena boo. It felt like they had been advised to only put people on the jumbotron who were draped in their trans flag… And the general public knows that is not indicative of real life.”
The television segment aired shortly after 2:38 p.m. that afternoon.
Gaines was referencing Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who has openly spoken against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Gaines and Cunningham have previously been photographed together.