SAN FRANCISCO ― Game 1 of the WNBA Finals did not happen without controversy.
During a 68-64 win by the Golden State Valkyries over the Atlanta Dream, there was alleged friction between fans in the stands at Chase Center. The incident appeared to involve multiple people, including attendees wearing XX-XY shirts while attending the game.
XX-XY Athletics opposes transgender athlete inclusion in women's sports and was founded by Jennifer Sey, a former gymnast and former Levi Strauss chief marketing officer who says her brand exists to “protect women’s sports and spaces." This season, XX-XY found itself as part of national commentary around transgender athletes including a protest outside of a New York Liberty game in August.
Sey, who was in attendance with multiple people, tweeted and shared a video (warning: NSFW language), saying, "We were scolded for antagonizing people with our shirts. But allowed to go back to our seats." The video shows people hurling insults, but it's unclear if they are towards Sey or other people.
"You're disgusting. You're disgusting," one attendee yelled at the group, while flipping them off with a middle finger, as the group moved up the stairs, allegedly accompanied by security.
As they continued to walk, more fans appeared to shout jeers. "I'm sorry you don't understand," another attendee said while waving goodbye.
The video Sey posted also shows people speaking with what appears to be security personnel. The individual who appears to be with security at the game can be heard saying that they have spoken with multiple groups, including those in XX-XY gear. "Their complaint is you guys are antagonizing them ... with your shirts pointed in their direction," the person says.
The security personnel appears to ask people in XX-XY shirts to stay to themselves and says they asked the same of the other group of people who complained. The group in XX-XY shirts explained more about the situation, saying, "We didn't do anything," before being told they could return to their seats.
The WNBA declined to comment when USA TODAY reached out about situation. The Golden State Valkyries also declined to comment on the situation.
The Chase Center code of conduct policy states: "Guests who choose not to adhere to this Code of Conduct will be subject to penalty including, but not limited to, ejection without refund, revocation of their season tickets, and/or denial of access from attending future games or events. They may also be in violation of local ordinances or state law resulting in possible arrest and prosecution. Any applicable Code of Conduct violations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis."
"I’m just a lady who gets yelled at everywhere I go. They always hope I die. Because I think men can’t be women," Sey said.
An openly transgender woman has never played in the WNBA.
Following the incident at Chase Center, Enes Kanter Freedom, who has also been part of the ongoing discouse, announced he will attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Valkyries and Dream when the series shifts back to Atlanta.
Transgender athletes and U.S. legislation
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states' right to ban transgender girls and women from participation in women's sports.
Legislation passed in 27 states barring transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports is aimed at a small portion of the population – 1% of people aged 13 and over in the U.S. identify as transgender, according to a 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law.
The Human Rights Campaign reported in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were playing sports, including fewer than 1,300 who played sports in school.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fan confrontation involving XX-XY group unfolds at WNBA Finals