Blaire Fleming, a transgender volleyball athlete competing in the women’s league, has ignited a wave of backlash and lawsuits, shaking up American sports.
The NCAA, a large-scale collegiate sports league in the U.S., has long been recognized globally for its massive scope and professionalism, serving as a model for other countries. However, from the outset of the 2024/25 season, the NCAA has become entangled in a controversy that has rocked American sports, all centered around the name Blaire Fleming.
Transgender athlete Blaire Fleming – wearing jersey number 3 for San Jose State University – has shown impressive performance, helping her team maintain an undefeated streak. Fleming’s spikes reach speeds of up to 129 km/h, an incredible number at the collegiate women’s volleyball level, comparable only to the serving record of male player Wilfredo Leon, who reached 138 km/h.
The stark difference in Fleming’s power immediately attracted attention from the U.S. volleyball community and experts worldwide.
As attention grew, problems began to arise! Blaire Fleming’s teammates, including Brooke Slusser, filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, accusing the league of concealing that Fleming is a transgender athlete. “Fleming spikes way too hard; myteammates and I were shocked. It wasn’t until she admitted she was biologically male that we learned the truth,” Brooke Slusser shared.
Slusser clarified that her issue is with the NCAA’s management rather than with Fleming herself. As Fleming’s roommate during tournaments and training sessions, Slusser expressed her discomfort at sharing a locker room with a transgender athlete without being informed. “We’re not blaming Blaire Fleming, but we cannot accept the NCAA hiding this. Many of us turned down scholarships from other schools to play here, and now we’re left confused,” she explained.
Previously, Fleming played for Coastal Carolina University, but after the Women’s Sports Protection Act banned transgender male-to-female athletes, she transferred to San Jose State. With each state in the U.S. having different regulations, Fleming found a way to continue competing.
The San Jose State female athletes have not only taken the NCAA to court but have also decided to halt training for their safety. “Fleming’s spikes are extremely powerful; some athletes have suffered concussions. We’re genuinely concerned for our health,” one of the players stated.
In addition to opponents, even San Jose State athletes have joined the boycott, while other teams, like Southern Utah University, have also refused to play against San Jose State. At least three other teams have made similar decisions.
The strong opposition from athletes has left the NCAA in a tough spot. Transgender athletes are permitted to compete to ensure gender identity rights. However, numerous lawmakers have spoken out, including Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn. She condemned Fleming’s participation as “a slap in the face to every female athlete,” and questioned, “Why does the NCAA pretend that allowing biological males to compete against females is ‘fair’?”
While the case has yet to reach a final verdict, the strong stance of the athletes could very likely force the NCAA to back down.
