Sophie Cunningham TAKES CREDIT For WNBA’s RISING POPULARITY With Bold Claim About Her Impact
Sophie Cunningham is feeling herself.
Sophie Cunningham believes her voice has helped the WNBA. The Indiana Fever guard spoke before Saturday’s game against the New York Liberty. She linked her recent comments to rising interest in the league.
“You have a lot of new fans, not only just watching, but coming to games and seeing the environment and seeing the talent,” Cunningham said. “I think anytime you can get more eyes on the W, that’s an awesome thing, because then that inspires other young kids that maybe have never seen the game or heard about the game or been to a game, they get that experience. So I definitely think that it’s been a very positive thing.”
Sophie Cunningham Praises Fan Demonstrations
Sophie Cunningham. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cunningham previously spoke out against transgender athletes in women’s sports. She views the resulting attention as beneficial overall. She also addressed outside demonstrations at the arena.
“I think it’s awesome people are using their freedom of speech, but I’m where my two feet are,” Cunningham added.
She remains focused on her role with the Fever after joining Indiana ahead of the 2025 season via trade from Phoenix.
Sophie Cunningham Draws Mixed Reactions
Sophie Cunningham (Photo Via Imagn Images)
The Fever continue navigating a high-profile season. Cunningham’s visibility has grown alongside the broader rise in WNBA attention. Viewership and attendance have climbed for multiple reasons beyond any single player.
Supporters of her position celebrate the new eyes on the product.
“So I watched my first @WNBA game, @IndianaFever vs. @AtlantaDream! Indiana won 95-91 in OT, and it was easily the best basketball game I’ve seen since the 90’s. Sophie Cunningham brought me to this by her intelligent views, but I have to give some credit to the rest of the team,” one wrote.
“The WNBA has been OVERWHELMED with new fans thanks to Sophie Cunningham in a TOTAL FAIL for the Democrats trying to cancel her. God bless Sophie,” another said.
“Sophie Cunningham’s audience has exploded, growing from roughly 1.5 million followers to 3.9 million as she has become increasingly outspoken about fairness in women’s sports,” another said.
Critics argue the growth comes primarily from star power and on-court play. The debate continues across social media.
“Lmfao. Just another self absorbed nazi,” one wrote.
“B-shhh pls your stat line stank,” another said.
“She really thinks she did something by opening her arms to bigots,” one commented.
Sophie Cunningham stands by her view that more attention benefits the WNBA. She continues speaking her mind while competing for the Fever. The conversation around her role in the league’s growth shows no signs of slowing.
This is not the first time a player has claimed a role in the league’s popularity surge. When both entered the WNBA in 2024, Angel Reese pushed back on the idea that only Caitlin Clark increased interest in women’s basketball.
