OutKick is a conservative website that covers sports. It publishes consistently anti-transgender content, particularly about transgender athletes.
Background
OutKick the Coverage was launched as outkickthecoverage.com on July 20, 2011 by Clay Travis.
In 2015, Travis licensed the brand to Fox Sports. In 2020, the site moved to outkick.com. In 2021, Fox Corporation acquired OutKick.
Anti-trans activism
Starting in the 2020s, Outick became increasingly involved in opposition to trans athletes in sex-segregated competitive sports. At the same time, OutKick founder Clay Travis and other staffers routinely mocked Title IX, women’s sports in general, and professional women’s sports in particular. OutKick’s anti-trans coverage expanded significantly after the May 2021 acquisition by Fox News.
OutKick has targeted a number of individual transgender athletes, most notably Lia Thomas and several high school athletes. Several of their shows discuss transgender topics in the news from a conservative perspective and feature anti-trans guests.
People
Leadership
- Clay Travis: Founder
- Sam Savage: Early investor
- Gary Schreier: SVP and Managing Editor
On-air personalities
- Charly Arnolt
- Hayley Caronia
- Ricky Cobb
- Dan Dakich
- Riley Gaines
- Jonathan Hutton
- Tomi Lahren
- Curt Schilling
- Buck Sexton
- Tyrus
- Trey Wallace
- Chad Withrow
Contributors
- Alejandro Avila
- Bobby Burack
- Zach Dean
- Bill Graff
- Amber Harding
- Mark Harris
- Joe Kinsey
- Ian Miller
- Matt Reigle
- Dan Zaksheske
References
Pisoni, Hope (December 20, 2025). How Fox’s OutKick relentlessly targeted a Michigan teen girl: Dan Zaksheske has written 18 articles focused on a trans girl who plays high school volleyball. Why? Uncloseted Media https://michiganadvance.com/2025/12/23/how-foxs-outkick-relentlessly-targeted-a-michigan-teen-girl/
Lee, Jane; Hind, Helena; Corrao, Isabella (August 12, 2025). Anti-trans pundits who championed the idea of protecting women’s sports now say that throwing sex toys at women athletes is hilarious. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/outkick/anti-trans-pundits-who-championed-idea-protecting-womens-sports-now-say-throwing-sex-toys
Tirrell, Alyssa (July 9, 2025). The Trump administration singled out Lia Thomas. Fox News helped make her a target. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/trump-administration-singled-out-lia-thomas-fox-news-helped-make-her-target
Staff report (June 9, 2025). OutKick’s Dan Dakich says Simone Biles “showed her stupidity” by defending trans inclusion in sports. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/outkicks-dan-dakich-says-simone-biles-showed-her-stupidity-defending-trans-inclusion
Riedel, Samantha (June 9, 2025). Right-Wing Outlet Claims They Were Denied Press Access to Two WNBA Games. them https://www.them.us/story/outkick-riley-gaines-wnba-brittney-griner-caitlin-clark-media
Tirrell, Alyssa (May 29, 2025). Fox has been covering a trans high school athlete in California for months. Now it looks like Trump is posting about her. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-has-been-covering-trans-high-school-athlete-california-months-now-it-looks-trump
Staff report (April 17, 2025). OutKick host Riley Gaines: “I believe the gender ideology movement as a whole really is an attempt to normalize pedophilia.” Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/outkick-host-riley-gaines-i-believe-gender-ideology-movement-whole-really-attempt
Tsipis, Pete; Tirrell, Alyssa (April 14, 2025). Three things you probably missed about the fencing tournament Fox News has been targeting. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/three-things-you-probably-missed-about-fencing-tournament-fox-news-has-been-targeting
Tirrell, Alyssa (October 9, 2024). OutKick contributor Riley Gaines cheers as college volleyball teams forfeit matches against alleged trans competitor. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/riley-gaines/outkick-contributor-riley-gaines-cheers-college-volleyball-teams-forfeit-matches
Gertz, Matt (August 2, 2024). Weirdo right-wingers whip themselves into a hateful frenzy over Olympics boxing match. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/weirdo-right-wingers-whip-themselves-hateful-frenzy-over-olympics-boxing-match
Staff report (June 13, 2024). Clay Travis claims World Aquatics statement barring Lia Thomas will encourage young people to transition. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/clay-travis/clay-travis-claims-world-aquatics-statement-barring-lia-thomas-will-encourage-young
Tirrell, Alyssa (June 13, 2024). Over a quarter of Fox News’ coverage of new Title IX rules included commentary that challenged the legitimacy of trans identity. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/over-quarter-fox-news-coverage-new-title-ix-rules-included-commentary-challenged
Staff report (June 11, 2024). OutKick’s Clay Travis calls Olympian Katie Ledecky “pathetic” after she “refused to give an opinion” on trans inclusion in women’s sports. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/outkick/outkicks-clay-travis-calls-olympian-katie-ledecky-pathetic-after-she-refused-give-opinion
Staff report (June 5, 2024). Clay Travis says the Indiana Fever should sign a man to “wreck bitches” who foul Caitlin Clark. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/clay-travis/clay-travis-encourages-indiana-fever-sign-man-beat-players-who-foul-caitlin-clark
Staff report (April 8, 2024). OutKick’s Riley Gaines: Dawn Staley is “entirely incompetent or a sellout.” Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/outkicks-riley-gaines-dawn-staley-entirely-incompetent-or-sellout
Staff report (February 22, 2024). Fox Corp.’s OutKick pushes long-debunked claim kids use litter boxes in schools. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/outkick/fox-corps-outkick-pushes-long-debunked-claim-kids-use-litterboxes-schools
Staff report (December 12, 2023). OutKick host says cyclist who defended trans competitors “is an absolute disgrace, and she has nothing to be proud of.” Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/outkick-host-says-cyclist-who-defended-trans-competitors-absolute-disgrace-and-she-has
Staff report (October 6, 2023). Host of Fox Corp.’s OutKick accuses trans athlete of “playing the victim game.” Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/clay-travis/host-fox-corps-outkick-accuses-trans-athlete-playing-victim-game
Gingerich, Mia (August 23, 2023). Bomb threat and hate speech against library follow targeted harassment from Riley Gaines and other right-wing media figures. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/crime-and-criminal-justice/bomb-threat-and-hate-speech-against-library-follow-targeted-harassment
Drennen, Ari (August 23, 2023). Right-wing media give away the game with ban on trans women in chess. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/right-wing-media-give-away-game-ban-trans-women-chess
Wheatley, Jack (July 25, 2023). The same people who claim they’re protecting women’s sports are lashing out at the US women’s national soccer team. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/same-people-who-claim-theyre-protecting-womens-sports-are-lashing-out-us-womens-national
Gingerich, Mia (July 6, 2023). The organization central to stoking panic against trans athletes is now driving targeted threats against high schoolers. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/justice-civil-liberties/organization-central-stoking-panic-against-trans-athletes-now-driving
McMaster, Reed; Silva, Spencer (May 22, 2023). Hundreds of thousands of new subscribers to OutKick’s YouTube channel will be fed racist and transphobic content. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/clay-travis/hundreds-thousands-new-subscribers-outkicks-youtube-channel-will-be-fed-racist-and
McMaster, Reed (April 7, 2023). Fox Corp.’s Clay Travis amplified his anti-trans rhetoric after the Covenant shooting. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/clay-travis/fox-corps-clay-travis-amplified-his-anti-trans-rhetoric-after-covenant-shooting
Gingerich, Mia; Paterson, Alex (January 13, 2022). Fox News leads hate campaign against trans college swimmer Lia Thomas, airing 32 segments about her in just 6 weeks. Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-leads-hate-campaign-against-trans-college-swimmer-lia-thomas-airing-32-segments
Selected writing by OutKick
Miller, Ian (February 3, 2026). In Win For Science & Sanity, First Medical Association Comes Out Against Trans Surgeries For Children. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/analysis/american-society-plastic-surgeons-opposes-transgender-surgeries-children-under-19
Harding, Amber (February 2, 2026). Detransitioner Wins $2 Million Lawsuit Against Doctors Who Pushed Her Mastectomy As A Minor. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/analysis/detransitioner-wins-2-million-lawsuit-doctors-mastectomy-minor
Zaksheske, Dan (January 13, 2026). Protesters Duel Outside Supreme Court As Clash Over Trans Athletes, Women’s Sports Reaches D.C. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/supreme-court-protests-transgender-athletes-womens-sports
Harding, Amber (November 11, 2025). ICONS Co-Founder: Boxing Scandal Was IOC’s ‘Tipping Point’ On Reported Trans Ban. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/analysis/icons-co-founder-kim-jones-boxing-scandal-ioc-trans-ban
Zaksheske, Dan (November 7, 2025). OutKick Reporter Harassed Covering Girls Volleyball, Trans Player, As Principal Does Nothing. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/ann-arbor-skyline-dexter-girls-volleyball-mhsaa-transgender
Avila, Alejandro (October 17, 2025). OutKick attends Dodgers-sponsored awards show honoring trans swimmer Lia Thomas: Here’s what happened. OutKick https://www.foxnews.com/sports/outkick-attends-dodgers-sponsored-awards-show-honoring-trans-swimmer-lia-thomas-heres-what-happened
Miller, Ian (October 15, 2025). Lia Thomas Set To Be Honored As ‘Voice of Inspiration’ At Event Sponsored By Dodgers, LAFC. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/la-dodgers-lafc-sponsor-rainbow-labs-event-honoring-transgender-swimmer-lia-thomas
Harding, Amber (July 3, 2025). Supreme Court To Decide Legality Of State Bans On Trans Athletes In Girls’ Sports. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/culture/supreme-court-rule-state-bans-transgender-athletes-womens-sports
Zaksheske, Dan (July 3, 2025). NCAA Silent On Lia Thomas 2022 National Championship Following UPenn Resolution. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/ncaa-silent-lia-thomas-upenn-resolution-transgender
Zaksheske, Dan (July 2, 2025). Paula Scanlan Talks To OutKick About UPenn, Lia Thomas: ‘They Knew They Were Wrong.’ OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/paula-scanlan-outkick-penn-lia-thomas-wrong-transgender
Zaksheske, Dan (July 1, 2025). Penn To Apologize For Allowing Lia Thomas To Compete On Women’s Team. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/upenn-apologize-lia-thomas-swimming-women-transgender
Zaksheske, Dan (April 28, 2025). Dept. Of Ed. Rules UPenn Violated Title IX By Allowing Lia Thomas To Compete In Women’s Swimming. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/upenn-violated-title-ix-lia-thomas-womens-swimming-transgender
Harris, Mark (April 1, 2025). Lia Thomas Makes Bitterly Selfish Comment While Vowing To ‘Fight’ For Transgender Athletes. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/analysis/lia-thomas-fight-transgender-ban-trump-order-selfish-comment-policy
Zaksheske, Dan (March 19, 2025). XX-XY Athletics Gives Courage Award To Sia Liilii For Speaking Out Against Males In Women’s Sports. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/xx-xy-athletics-gives-courage-award-sia-liilii-speaking-out-against-males-womens-sports
Dean, Zach (April 6, 2024). The Usual Suspects Are Angry That OutKick Asked Dawn Staley About Transgenders In Women’s Sports. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/the-usual-suspects-are-angry-that-outkick-asked-dawn-staley-about-transgenders-in-womens-sports
Burack, Bobby (March 20, 2024). Americans Are Starting To ‘Bud Light’ Planet Fitness. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/culture/americans-are-starting-to-bud-light-planet-fitness
Reigle, Matt (February 7, 2024). Caitlyn Jenner Calls Lia Thomas Narcissist: ‘I Think She Just Wants The Publicity.’ OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/caitlyn-jenner-calls-lia-thomas-narcissist
Hookstead, David (August 6, 2023). Bill Maher Claims Transgender Movement Is About Taking Rights Away; Riley Gaines Slams Weak Men. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/culture/bill-maher-claims-transgender-movement-is-about-taking-rights-away-riley-gaines-slams-weak-men
Harding, Amber (May 21, 2023). Trans High School Track Runner Robs Female Athlete Of State Championship Bid. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/sports/trans-high-school-track-runner-robs-female-athlete-of-state-championship-bid
Graff, Bill (June 19, 2022). Lia Thomas Will Not Race Against Women After FINA Rule On Transgender Athletes. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/fina/lia-thomas-will-not-race-against-women-after-fina-rule-on-transgender-athletes
Kinsey, Joe (February 21, 2022). Remember Those Lia Thomas Trans Race Collusion Accusations Back In January? OutKick https://www.outkick.com/olympics/remember-those-lia-thomas-trans-race-collusion-accusations-back-in-january
Kinsey, Joe (February 18, 2022). ESPN Analyst Notes How Little Lia Thomas’ Legs Were Used During Race. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/olympics/espn-analyst-notes-how-little-lia-thomas-legs-were-used-during-race
Kinsey, Joe (January 19, 2022). OutKick Exclusive: Penn Swimmer Alleges Lia Thomas Colluded With Fellow Transgender Swimmer Before Race. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/olympics/outkick-exclusive-penn-swimmer-alleges-lia-thomas-colluded-with-fellow-transgender-swimmer-before-race
Kinsey, Joe (December 28, 2021). USA Swimming Official Quits In Protest Of Transgender Swimmer Lia Thomas. OutKick https://www.outkick.com/olympics/usa-swimming-official-quits-in-protest-of-transgender-swimmer-lia-thomas
Selected media
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis and Payton McNabb (August 7, 2026). Caitlin Clark Can’t Avoid This WNBA Debate Forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I7-9yqYeko
OutKick / The Ricky Cobb Show with Ricky Cobb and Riley Gaines (June 9, 2025). Riley Gaines SHUTS DOWN Simone Biles’ ATTACK On Women’s Sports | The Ricky Cobb Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juiHyvXukI4
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (February 6, 2025). Failing ESPN Doubles Down On Men In Women’s Sports Stupidity | OutKick The Show w/ Clay Travis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIaLRBRNo9o
OutKick / Screen Time w/ Hayley Caronia Hayley Caronia and Nicole Powers (October 19, 2024). Trans Athlete SPEAKS OUT Against Men In Women’s Sports | Screen Time w/ Hayley Caronia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-__d8BL4sBE
Outkick / Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines and Shawn Thierry (September 28, 2024). Shawn Thierry REVEALS Why She LEFT The Democrat CULT | Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-2P9jUcnDA
OutKick / Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines and Kara Dansky (August 24, 2024). Kamala Harris & WOKE Left BETRAYED Women | Kara Dansky | Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkS6jlbZHCc
OutKick / Tomi Lahren is Fearless with Tomi Lahren and Jillian Michaels (August 15, 2024). Jillian Michaels SLAMS Woke Paris Olympics | Tomi Lahren is Fearless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_ZjHIpKlSI
OutKick / Gaines For Girls with Riley Gaines and the “Darlington Nurses” (August 3, 2024). Hospitals TARGET Female Nurses With WOKE Agenda?! | Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIgTIhwdR_M
OutKick / Hot Mic with Jonathan Hutton, Chad Withrow and Tommy Tuberville (April 9, 2024). Is Dawn Staley A FRAUD For Comments On Trans Athletes? | OutKick Hot Mic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGRAqlorvrI
OutKick / Gaines For Girls with Riley Gaines (February 10, 2024). Caitlyn Jenner DESTROYS Lia Thomas For SUING Olympics | Gaines For Girls with Riley Gaines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8WTQenpSXE
OutKick / Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich (January 16, 2023). TRANS Woman Buys Miss Universe Pageant For $20 MILLION. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k03SlZnPpnc
OutKick / Hot Mic with Jonathan Hutton, Chad Withrow, and Christiana Keifer of Alliance Defending Freedom (June 11, 2023). Connecticut’s FASTES Girl Lost To TRANS Woman, Sues CT | OutKick HotMic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELKXmCFyk28
OutKick / Curt Schilling Baseball Show with Curt Schilling (June 1, 2023). Curt Schilling SOUNDS OFF On Trans Nun Group Invite To La Dodgers Pride Celebration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzPIZ8l3dGQ
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (April 19, 2023). Sage Steel Backs Riley Gaines In The Trans Sports Fight | OutKick The Show With Clay Travis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9D2YENG1Iw
OutKick / Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich (April 2, 2023). BIDEN Mourns The Trans Community Days After The Nashville Shooting | Don’t @ Me With Dan Dakich. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTV3At1AHqw
OutKick / Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich (October 27, 2022). Trans Volleyball Player Spikes Ball Into Opponent’s Face, Adds It To A Highlight Reel | Don’t @ Me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6U7cT2f6cE
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (April 1, 2022). WOKE White House Endorses Kids Getting Transgender Surgery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1kYJqhkNrE
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (April 6, 2023). First BUDLIGHT, Now NIKE Falls For Dylan Mulvaney’s TRANS Grift | Outkick The Show With Clay Travis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmo6RnIw2I
OutKick / Tomi Lahren Is Fearless with Tomi Lahren (April 5, 2023). BUDLIGHT Goes Woke, Partners With Trans TikToker Dylan Mulvaney | Tomi Lahren Is Fearless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E03vbZFSTa8
OutKick / Tomi Lahren Is Fearless with Tomi Lahren and Riley Gaines (July 21, 2022). Transgender Double Standards Are Mind Blowing | Tomi Lahren Is Fearless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLO_x4kGuFs
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (July 10, 2022). Clay Travis Debunks The Trans Insanity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37HsTj8JcGI
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (April 7, 2023). Where is the TRANS MANIFESTO Responsible For The Tragedy In Tennessee?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfQ8l1eATpk
OutKick / Tomi Lahren Is Fearless with Tomi Lahren and July Carlan (November 21, 2022). Trans ‘Shape Shifter’ doxxed by LGBTQ community, Michael Farren performs & Trump’s return to Twitter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LGXnptuKYE
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (August 18, 2022). Clay Travis Credits Harpeth Hall For Denying Trans Students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHKVIVCa4Q
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (July 20, 2022). Quidditch Renamed Because JK Rowling Dubbed Transphobic | Outkick the Show With Clay Travis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpuMPROchcQ
OutKick / Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich (June 20, 2022). Common Sense Comes For Lia Thomas & Transgender Athletics | Don’t @ Me With Dan Dakich. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YETbPV6R3YU
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (May 19, 2022). Woke Blast Skateboarder for Speaking Out Against Trans Competitor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZljCHmkOfBM
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (February 18, 2022). Trans Swimmer Smokes Biological Women At Ivy Championship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRnAOuP3ubk
OutKick / Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich (January 19, 2022). Trans Athletes Competing In Women’s Sports | Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JESw8EiSj0k
OutKick / Clay & Buck wirh Clay Travis, Buck Sexton, and Abigail Shrier (December 14, 2021). Abigail Shrier Pushes Back On The Transgender Agenda | Clay & Buck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMBknjYVHlA
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (December 13, 2021). J.K. Rowling Stands Up Against The WOKE Trans Agenda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfP144H2Ghk
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (December 10, 2021). Penn Women’s Swimmers Speak Out Against Trans Teammate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv_kGnhHpaw
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (December 7, 2021). Transgender Woman Swimmer Dominates Biological Women’s Sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE8lNEc32zA
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (June 22, 2021). First TRANSGENDER Olympian Competing From New Zealand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPgqvdpo9os
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (May 7, 2021). Men Should COMPETE Against Men, Period – Transgender Olympian Story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XNBWggPVtI
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (May 6, 2021). Fox-Outkick deal, Aaron Rodgers drama, Georgians opposed ASG move, Transgender Olympian weightlifter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPbsHA3kITg
OutKick the Show with Clay Travis (May 28, 2020). Connecticut’s court decision that ruled against transgender high school students competing in athletics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u002FFzcIOy [removed]
Resources
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Fox News (foxnews.com)
- OutKick
- foxnews.com/outkick
OutKick (outkick.com) [archive]
OutKick the Coverage (outkickthecoverage.com) [archive]
YouTube (youtube.com)
X/Twitter (x.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
Facebook (facebook.com)
TikTok (tiktok.com)
Linktree (linktr.ee)