Mother Jones' WNBA 'trans panic' story shows what happens when activism masquerades as journalism

Mother Jones Story on Jennifer Sey Sparks Debate Over Women’s Sports and Trans Rights

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Published: [Date]

A recent investigation published by Mother Jones has ignited controversy across the sports and media worlds. The piece, written by Madison Pauly and titled “The Woman Profiting Off the WNBA’s Trans Panic,” alleges that Jennifer Sey, the founder of XX‑XY Athletics, is financially benefiting from what the outlet describes as a “trans panic.” The article draws on a mix of interviews, public statements, and academic research to argue that Sey’s company is profiting from a divisive debate over the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Who Is at the Center of the Story?

• Jennifer Sey – CEO and founder of XX‑XY Athletics, a company that sells sports apparel and other goods aimed at female athletes. The Mother Jones article cites sales of about $1 million in the company’s first year.
• Sophie Cunningham – A professional basketball player who was interviewed by ESPN about her views on protecting young female athletes from competing against “biological men.” She says she wants to “protect young girls in locker rooms.”
• Jean Chadbourne – A Democrat who claims she organized a rally on July 28 in Seattle before an Indiana Fever‑Seattle Storm game. Chadbourne said she reached out to Amy Sousa, Jennifer Sey, and Brandi Kruse after Cunningham’s ESPN interview.
• Amy Sousa – A podcaster and activist who has helped organize Cunningham‑led rallies.
• Brandi Kruse – A podcaster described by Mother Jones as “right‑wing.”
• Ahnaleigh Wilson – A 14‑year‑old high school athlete who has spoken publicly about women’s sports after finishing second in a girls’ 1600‑meter race in 2024 to a male competitor. Wilson has an XX‑XY brand deal and once attended a Seattle Storm game wearing an XX‑XY shirt while holding a Cunningham sign.
• Valerie – A transgender WNBA fan quoted in the Mother Jones article who says that “games had been a nice, fun two hours, completely safe” but now feels “scared and really, really sad.”

Key Claims Made in the Mother Jones Piece

1. Profit Motive
   Mother Jones argues that Sey’s company is “profiting off a trans panic” and uses the reported $1 million in first‑year sales to support the claim. The outlet does not discuss the company’s expenses or profit margin, leaving unclear whether the revenue actually translates into profit.

2. Use of Research on Trans Violence
   The article cites a 2026 review published in JAMA Network Open that found transgender adults are more likely to be victims of violence, including sexual assault. It uses that finding to suggest a “panic” around trans athletes, although the study’s authors cautioned that many of the underlying samples were not randomly selected and should not be taken as representative of all transgender people.

3. Hormone Therapy and Athletic Performance
   Mother Jones notes that hormone therapy “has been shown to diminish athletic performance, though studies vary on how much.” The outlet implies that this supports the argument that trans athletes have a performance advantage.

4. The July 28 Rally
   The piece describes a rally in Seattle as a gathering of “anti‑trans activists.” According to Jean Chadbourne, she organized the event, reached out to Sey and Kruse, and was a registered Democrat with a history in reproductive‑rights activism. Chadbourne says the event was organized by Women Are Real, Amy Sousa, and Brandi Kruse; Sey was not present, and XX‑XY Athletics did not conceive or fund the rally.

5. Confrontation Involving Ahnaleigh Wilson
   The article recounts that a Seattle Storm minority owner, Celeste Keaton, confronted Wilson at a game, using profanity. The WNBA subsequently fined Keaton and suspended her from five home games.

6. Interview With Valerie
   The piece closes with a short interview with Valerie, a transgender fan who claims she has felt unsafe in recent games.

Reactions and Context

• Sophie Cunningham has not responded to Mother Jones’s coverage. In her ESPN interview, she stressed the importance of protecting female athletes and stated she wanted to prevent girls from having to compete against “biological men.” The Mother Jones article frames her comments as part of a broader “anti‑trans panic.”

• Jennifer Sey has not issued a statement about the allegations. XX‑XY Athletics’ website and public filings do not indicate any partnership with the July 28 rally, and the company’s financial reports do not clarify whether it turned a profit from its first-year sales.

• Jean Chadbourne told OutKick