Sophie Cunningham Sends Clear Message After Controversial WNBA Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 1:49 PM ET

Sophie Cunningham has been playing through her first season with the Indiana Fever, emerging as one of the top players in the lineup.

Cunningham has emerged onto the scene as one of the most well-known players in the WNBA, especially with her recent comments.

In the past couple of days, the WNBA has announced some exciting news, including the expansion of three teams. The league will be welcoming three new teams in the coming years in the following cities: Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.

While many fans were excited about the news, Cunningham questioned the WNBA's decision. She mentioned that she doesn't know how excited fans would be about having expanded to cities like Cleveland or Detroit.

Her previous quote has since blown up, but Cunningham recently spoke on the situation, explaining that she wasn't being critical of the specific locations.

"First of all, I know the history behind the WNBA," Cunningham said, per Tony East. "I know that both of those cities have had teams before and they got us to where we're at, so I'm thankful for that.

"All I was really getting at was like, Broadway, the off court lifestyle... I'm thankful for they have done with the history of our sport. I think it would be fun to get some teams outside the NBA market. I do think there's benefit when you do have an NBA team, but that's all I was getting at."

Fever wing Sophie Cunningham offers clarifying thoughts about her comments on WNBA expansion from earlier this week: pic.twitter.com/pkXuXywI6E
— Tony East (@TonyREast) July 3, 2025

Here's a look at Sophie Cunningham's previous comments on the WNBA's expansion, which caused a frenzy on social media.

"I'm not so sure what the thought process is there, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you're not expanding our league too fast," Cunningham said, per ESPN. "I think that that's also another thing. It's kind of a hard decision-making situation. But man, I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland]."

Aside from all of the attention Sophie Cunningham has received for her comments on the WNBA's expansion, she's been quite the addition for the Indiana Fever.

During her first season with the Fever, Cunningham has posted 5.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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