Brianna Turner alleged on social media that the Indiana Fever fired a male staff member for sexual harassment last season and told players to keep quiet. The claims surfaced following remarks by Sophie Cunningham on transgender athletes.
A public exchange on social media between former and current members of the WNBA franchise escalated when Brianna Turner accused the Indiana Fever organization of mishandling a workplace misconduct issue. Turner, who played for Indiana during the 2025 season before joining the Las Vegas Aces on a one-year contract, published a nine-post thread on X.
The statements from Turner arrived shortly after comments made by Sophie Cunningham regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports were published in a feature article. Cunningham stated she wanted to protect young girls in sports from competing against biological athletes born male, a position she later expanded upon in discussions with reporters in Indianapolis.
Brianna Turner Discloses Alleged Firing and Gag Order
Turner responded to the discourse surrounding women’s sports by shifting focus toward internal organizational conduct. In her social media thread, she stated that the franchise had dismissed a male staffer following allegations of sexual harassment during the previous season.
“Last year on my WNBA team a male staff member was fired for sexual harassment, but we were encouraged to keep quiet about it. That is an issue. Sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and racism are all issues.”
Brianna Turner, Las Vegas Aces forward, via Fox News
Turner did not provide the identity of the fired employee, and reporting indicates uncertainty over whether a police report was filed regarding the incident. Alongside the allegation, Turner advocated for transgender inclusion in basketball, pointing to former player Layshia Clarendon as a precedent.
The Indiana Fever Release Official Response
In the wake of Turner’s posts, the franchise issued a formal statement to media outlets, addressing workplace safety policies without directly mentioning the specific allegations made by their former player.
“Protecting our players and employees and maintaining a respectful, professional workplace is our top priority. Our policy is to take concerns seriously, investigate thoroughly, and act promptly when appropriate to protect the people in our organization and ensure everyone is treated with professionalism and respect. Fostering trust and safety in that process means we do not comment on personnel matters involving former employees.”
Indiana Fever, via USA Today
The organization’s policy of declining comment on personnel matters left questions regarding internal reviews unanswered. As of Thursday following the statements, the league had not announced any formal investigation or public commentary on Turner’s claims.
Sophie Cunningham Expands on Advocacy and Viral Attention
While the front office addressed inquiries regarding Turner’s statements, Cunningham faced renewed attention regarding her own remarks and recent off-court visibility. Cunningham stated that her position stemmed from a desire to safeguard athletic opportunities for biological females.
“I think I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. 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. And so I stand on what I said, and I always believe that.”
Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard, via The IX Sports
Cunningham’s comments and athletic profile have placed her at the center of cultural discussions during a busy stretch.
Broader WNBA Player Safety Context
The public sparring between teammates occurs as player welfare and online safety remain a focal point across the league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert met with representatives of the players’ association to address online abuse directed at athletes.
As the team navigates the second half of the schedule, attention remains directed at how league officials and team leadership handle player welfare concerns both on the court and within club facilities.
Worth a look
