Megan Rapinoe, the two‑time Women’s World Cup champion, disclosed that an artificial‑intelligence screening system marked her as a corporate “risk” because of her outspoken support for transgender rights, a designation that cost her a multimillion‑dollar World Cup advertising contract.
In an op‑ed published by Marie Claire, Rapinoe recounted how the algorithm flagged her after she voiced advocacy for trans inclusion in women’s soccer, a move that prompted the brand behind the campaign to pull the advertisement without offering any public explanation.
The cost of speaking out
The star athlete described the incident as part of a broader pattern in which companies are retreating from trans‑affirming initiatives under pressure from political fear‑mongering, a climate she says is shaping the narrative around gender equity in sports.
Rapinoe also took aim at a Washington state ballot measure that would require girls to undergo medical certification to compete in school athletics, arguing that such legislation not only targets trans women but erodes opportunities for all female athletes.
She warned that policies that single out trans participants create a chilling effect that harms the entire sports community, and she reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for equal pay, human rights, and full athletic inclusion for every woman and girl.
On social media, Rapinoe posted a message of solidarity with the trans community, underscoring that the fight for inclusion remains far from over.