WNBA star Sophie Cunningham does not hold back with blunt complaint

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 8:27 PM ET

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has built a reputation for saying exactly what she thinks. She speaks candidly about league matters and everyday frustrations.

The 29-year-old recently emerged as a primary critic of the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with players. On her podcast, “Show Me Something,” she blasted the league’s approach.

Cunningham criticized the slow pace and lack of progress on player demands, especially revenue sharing. She also made headlines during the 2025 season for criticizing WNBA leadership. Cunningham called Commissioner Cathy Engelbert the “most delusional leader” in league history after comments on the “Caitlin Clark effect.”

“People only know Cathy because of [Clark]…. She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen,” the WNBA star commented on an Instagram post.

Cunningham added that many WNBA officials might be “great business people,” but they “don’t know [expletive] about basketball.”

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game.

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham keeps it real, shares airport complaint

While traveling during her recovery from a knee injury this week, Cunningham added another example of her outspoken reputation. On her Instagram story, the Missouri native shared a selfie from inside an airport with a blunt assessment.

“I can’t do bad smells, but this airport smells like

,” Cunningham wrote, clearly unimpressed with her surroundings.

The 6-foot-1 guard did not name the airport. Still, her comment perfectly captured the directness she is known for.

Cunningham has been busy traveling across America throughout the WNBA offseason. She’s emerged as one of the biggest names in the league, and her work has demanded multiple trips outside Indianapolis. The 29-year-old is no stranger to typical airport issues. This is why the fact that she could not help but complain about the smell in one particular airport says a lot.

Cunningham has been one of the most vocal defenders of her teammate, Fever guard Caitlin Clark. On her podcast, she said Clark’s critics were “literally dumb as [expletive]” if they didn’t recognize her as the face of the league.

Cunningham also defended Clark on the court in June during an incident involving Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey of the Connecticut Sun.

Clark played only 13 games last season due to recurring injuries. But one matchup against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky attracted 2.7 million viewers. It was the WNBA’s most-watched game in 25 years. Franchises with smaller arenas moved games to larger venues to accommodate crowds drawn by Clark and the Fever.

“This is what we’ve always wanted as a league, so like, who cares who gets the credit,” Cunningham said on her podcast. “And if you’re smart, (you know) you’re making money off them. … Just be nice. Why can’t people be nice?”

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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