Simone Biles just flipped the script- this time, not on a balance beam but in the middle of a heated culture war. The Olympic legend, known for defying gravity, is now catching heat for defying public opinion, and one of her biggest sponsors is feeling the aftershocks.
Biles clashed online with OutKick contributor Riley Gaines over the issue of transgender inclusion in sports. Her words werenât soft. She called Gaines a âsore loserâ and challenged her to âuplift the trans communityâ instead of targeting it. That one comment sent ripples across social media, and now Athleta, the womenâs activewear giant thatâs proudly backed Biles since 2021, is being dragged into the chaos.
Boycott Threats Flood Athletaâs Channels

Athleta, which includes Biles in its Power of She Collective aimed at empowering women, has not released a statement on the controversy. But the pressure is mounting fast. In the hours following the social media feud, angry customers lit up Athletaâs pages with calls to sever ties.
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âI shop at Athleta often but will be boycotting unless you drop Simone Biles,â one X user wrote.
- TRENDING NEWS
Danica Patrick Drops A Giant Truth Bomb On Simone Biles During Her Feud With Riley Gaines Over Transgender Athletes
Simone Biles Goes Off On Riley Gaines For Being A âStraight Up Sore Loserâ And Attacking Transgender Athletes Because âShe Lost A Raceâ In Unexpected Ambush On Social Media
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Another declared, âNo more Simone Biles. Get someone who is truly for women in womenâs sports!â
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A third added, âYour brand ambassador is embarrassing you.â
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Others echoed similar sentiments, with posts like, âIâm never buying Athleta.â
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The wave of reactions reveals a deep divide in how fans view the intersection of sports and gender identity. Some are applauding Biles for using her platform to advocate for inclusion. Others feel betrayed by her stance and believe it undermines the integrity of womenâs sports.
Biles has not backed down or walked back her comments. Her track record as a vocal advocate for mental health, equity, and athlete welfare suggests she wonât. Whether Athleta chooses to weather the storm or shift course remains to be seen. For now, the brand is in the eye of a culture war it likely didnât expect to fight this weekend.
