Seattle Storm apologize for an exchange between a co-owner and 2 fans

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Storm apologized Wednesday for an exchange that took place between one of its co-owners and two fans during the team's 105-95 loss to the Indiana Fever.

The Storm didn't elaborate on the nature of the incident and didn't say which Storm co-owner was involved.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in the statement released Wednesday. “Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect."

The incident occurred Tuesday night during an evening that began with a demonstration outside Climate Pledge Arena. The team didn't say if the exchange was related to the protest.

Ahead of the game, a crowd of a few dozen gathered to both support Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and to promote a statewide ballot initiative, IL26-638, that would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools.

Some members of the group carried signs in support of Cunningham or wore T-shirts depicting the XX and XY chromosomes. Some of them were also inside the arena during the game.

Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published last week. Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she checked into Tuesday’s game, as well as when attempting her first free throws of the night.

Cunningham was not made available to answer postgame questions.

Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.

When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a Fever public relations representative intervened with the following statement:

“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,” the statement said. “Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”

Storm head coach Sonia Raman also briefly addressed a question about the pregame protest following her team’s seventh consecutive loss.

“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman said. “I think we’ve always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.

“From what I understand, that was successful.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

A person holds a "trans people belong in sports" sig during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A fan holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in reference to her comments on transgender athletes as a fan wearing Seattle Storm gear holds a competing sign during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

People gather in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham following her comments on transgender athletes before a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Fans wave signs referencing Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the second half of a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Myles Garrett is waiting on Aaron Donald's comeback decision just as eagerly as the rest of the Rams, Los Angeles' new superstar pass rusher says he won't attempt to influence Donald's process.

“If he’s here, I’m going to be excited to be his teammate, his partner in crime,” Garrett said Wednesday after the Rams’ fourth practice of training camp. ”I think we’re going to do great things. But it’s a difficult thing, coming back.”

Garrett said he hasn’t spoken to Donald about being teammates during the upcoming season. He's been busy settling in nicely with his new team after the blockbuster trade that brought him to the West Coast from Cleveland — and also inspired Donald to begin a workout program in an attempt to return to NFL shape after 2 1/2 years of retirement.

The 30-year-old Garrett and the 35-year-old Donald have combined to win five of the past nine AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, with Garrett claiming it in two of the last three seasons for the Cleveland Browns.

“I think there’s a lot we can learn from each other,” Garrett said. “I’d love to pick his brain on the kind of things he does to attack his matchups, and I think the same could be said vice versa. ... . I’ve told him I’d love to learn from him. I’ve watched his tape. Obviously, I think everyone who’s been a rusher from anywhere across the line, they have a lot of respect for him. But I don’t want to push him one way or another.”

The edge-rushing Garrett has 125 1/2 career sacks, while Donald racked up 111 from the interior line during his landmark 10-year career, which ended with his retirement in March 2024. Their mutual respect and friendship goes back several years, and Donald's jersey is even displayed in Garrett's home in Texas after the stars did a jersey swap several years ago.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Donald's workouts are “going really well,” but he doesn't believe a decision is imminent.

Garrett believes the greatest challenge facing Donald is getting in shape to sustain the NFL tempo of relentless action during games.

“As much as you can try to work yourself back into shape, we get a small taste of it when we come back from the offseason, you’ve got to get your wind and your legs back underneath you,” Garrett said. “When you get on the field, things are flying around, you’ve got to find a way to get your conditioning back and slow down the game once more. Someone as great as he is, I think he could definitely come back and do it … for however many games he chooses to play.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Myles Garrett takes a breather during an NFL football training camp Monday, July 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Myles Garrett, right, rushes the running back during an NFL football training camp Monday, July 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)