Megan Rapinoe attacks Riley Gaines and Sophie Cunningham over trans-sports debate

On her "Why Are You Like This?" podcast, former USWNT player Megan Rapinoe launched a tirade against Riley Gaines and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after the two were photographed together following a game against the Minnesota Lynx. Rapinoe reiterated her stance that biological sex should not dictate eligibility in women’s sports and portrayed the pair as antagonists to that principle. She accused Gaines of aligning with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and 2026, alleging a motive to overturn Title IX, while noting Gaines’ past competition against a male swimmer at the 2022 NCAA Championships.

Rapinoe dismissed the relevance of elite-level concerns, claiming existing policies already safeguard youth participation. The podcast ended with Rapinoe questioning the legitimacy of opposing viewpoints, suggesting they were not serious. Her remarks sparked further debate over trans inclusion and the role of Title IX in protecting single-sex competition.