Paxton Wears XXXY Shirt to WNBA Game Supporting Cunningham

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attended a WNBA game in Dallas on Thursday, August 20, 2026, wearing a shirt supporting the exclusion of biological males from women's sports, a move that amplified his support for Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham amid a national debate. Paxton and his daughter, Mattie, wore matching XXXY shirts, a brand advocating for sex-based athletic categories, during the Fever's game against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. The Wings won the game 91-85.

Paxton's appearance followed recent incidents where fans wearing similar apparel were confronted at WNBA games. His visit was peaceful, contrasting with earlier events. In late July, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined after cursing at teenage girls wearing XXXY shirts at a game. Earlier this month, WNBA security personnel at an Atlanta Dream game instructed a mother and daughter to cover their XXXY shirts or leave, an action the league later acknowledged was incorrect. The WNBA stated, "This should not have happened."

The controversy centers on comments made by Cunningham, who has publicly stated that biological female athletes should not have to compete...