Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Burgess Owens joined criticism of the WNBA's stance on transgender athletes, according to KSL. Both lawmakers are Latter-day Saints representing heavily LDS constituencies.

The controversy involves WNBA policies regarding transgender players in women's professional basketball. Lee and Owens' statements reflect Utah's conservative legislative record on transgender sports participation — the state passed legislation restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's school sports.