WNBA veteran Brianna Turner has leveled a serious accusation against her former team, the Indiana Fever, alleging that players were advised to remain silent following the dismissal of a male staff member for sexual harassment during the 2025 season. Turner, now a forward for the Las Vegas Aces, shared these claims on social media on Wednesday, framing them within a broader discussion about the presence of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
Turner, 28, reflected on her tenure with the Fever, asserting that issues such as sexism and harassment within sports pose a more significant threat to female athletes than the inclusion of transgender individuals. She detailed the incident on the social platform X, stating, “Last year on my WNBA team a male staff member was fired for sexual harassment, but we were encouraged to keep quiet about it.” She further emphasized that “Sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and racism are all issues.”
These comments emerged shortly after remarks by Sophie Cunningham, a current Indiana Fever player and Turner’s former teammate, who expressed concerns in an ESPN interview about protecting young girls in sports from competing against biological males.
Challenging the Narrative on Trans Athletes
While not directly naming Cunningham, Turner used her platform to counter the intense focus on transgender athletes. She pointed out that in her eight years in the WNBA, the league has had only one openly transgender player, who, according to Turner, “caused zero problems.” She elaborated on X, “A tiny minority of the population identifies as trans, yet they are always a trending topic unfortunately. I’m in my 8th season as a WNBA player. To date there’s been one out trans player in the league. They caused zero problems.” Turner’s statement suggests that the energy directed towards the trans community in sports could be better allocated to addressing more pervasive issues like sexism and harassment.
Indiana Fever’s Response
The Indiana Fever organization released an official statement on Thursday addressing Turner’s allegations. The team reiterated its commitment to player and employee safety and maintaining a respectful workplace. “Protecting our players and employees and maintaining a respectful, professional workplace is our top priority,” the statement read. “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.”
The franchise declined to comment on specific internal investigations or personnel matters involving former employees, citing the need to preserve “trust and safety” within their investigative procedures. It remains unconfirmed whether a formal police report was filed concerning the alleged sexual harassment incident.
Brianna Turner’s Career
Brianna Turner is a respected figure in the WNBA, known for her defensive prowess. She was a two-time selection to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2020 and 2021 during her tenure with the Phoenix Mercury. Following her one-year stint with the Indiana Fever, she joined the Las Vegas Aces for the current season on a one-year contract.
Broader Context of Workplace Issues in Sports
Turner’s allegations bring to light ongoing concerns about workplace conduct and the handling of harassment claims within professional sports organizations. The emphasis on player safety and maintaining a professional environment is a recurring theme in league-wide discussions. The contrast between the attention given to the inclusion of transgender athletes and the alleged suppression of information regarding a sexual harassment case highlights a complex debate about priorities and the definition of threats within women’s sports.
The incident also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing misconduct. While the Indiana Fever has stated its commitment to a safe environment, the specifics of how such incidents are managed and communicated to players remain a critical point of concern for athletes. The league and its teams face the ongoing challenge of balancing confidentiality with the need for a secure and open environment for all participants.
