Portland Fire fan alleges hate slurs and spitting during game against Indiana Fever

At a Portland Fire home game versus the Indiana Fever, a season-ticket holder claimed they were spat on and heard homophobic and transphobic remarks, including statements about lesbians and calls to set trans people on fire. Police in Portland are treating the episode as a potential bias crime, according to officials. The episode unfolded during the national anthem, a time when a group outside the arena was rallying for Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, whose recent comments on transgender athletes have sparked debate.

Inside the arena, Fire fans and supporters of Cunningham clashed, and the Fire released a statement denouncing the conduct and emphasizing its fan code of conduct. The incident adds to a string of recent fan controversies in the league, such as a viral video of Storm fans confronting young supporters and a recent Instagram hate message directed at Aces guard Chelsea Gray. The league has previously dealt with on-court incidents involving objects being thrown and has pledged to work with law enforcement on fan behavior.