SEATTLE — The WNBA suspended Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton from attending the team’s next five home games and fined her an undisclosed amount following an incident during Tuesday’s game in which she verbally confronted two fans.

The altercation occurred during the Storm’s 105-95 loss to the Indiana Fever when Keaton admonished a pair of teenaged fans who carried signs supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

On Wednesday, the Storm apologized for the confrontation.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game,” majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement released by the team. “We apologize that this happened. 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.”

Cunningham was in the middle of an emotionally charged game following her recent comments about transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports.

“I want to protect young girls in a locker room,” she told ESPN last week. “Or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

A pregame rally on Tuesday drew a small crowd outside Climate Pledge Arena to support Cunningham and statewide initiatives 638 and 001 on the November ballot, which would effectively bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington’s K-12 schools.

During the game, several fans held ‘No Hate in Washington State’ signs and two courtside fans who carried a sign that read Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls were approached by Keaton.

Cunningham was not made available following Tuesday’s game, but on Wednesday she admonished Keaton for her behavior.

“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” she wrote on X. “Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe.

“You’ll be hearing from me soon. Yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately, shows the type of leader she is.”

The Storm (6-24), who are riding a seven-game losing streak and begin a four-game road trip on Friday, have seven remaining home games.

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