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Jul 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates a shot made from her teammates against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half during the Commissioner’s Cup final at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

'Your Teammate Doesn’t Seem To Think Cleveland Is So Bad': Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA Expansion Rant Gets Reaction From Cleveland, Detroit Mentioning Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 10:11 AM ET

Sophie Cunningham found herself in the hot seat after raising eyebrows with her take on the WNBA’s latest expansion picks, specifically on Cleveland and Detroit.

“You want to listen to your players, too. Where do they want to play? Where are they gonna get excited to play?” Sophie Cunningham said in a now-viral interview. “I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Cleveland or Detroit.” She floated cities like Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City as better options.

That comment didn’t sit well with Cleveland sports fans or the city itself. The official Cleveland X account fired back directly at Sophie Cunningham, referencing one of her Indiana teammates:

“Sophie, your teammate doesn’t seem to think Cleveland is too bad! We’re proud to have been chosen to host a WNBA team and any player who comes here will feel that legendary passion that Cleveland sports fans show our teams!”

That teammate? None other than Caitlin Clark, who spoke warmly about the city earlier this year during the Final Four:

“I had never been to Cleveland before, it has been awesome. It lowkey feels like just a bigger version of my hometown of Des Moines, Iowa… we’re happy to be in Cleveland.”

Sophie Cunningham might’ve meant to spark conversation, but what she got instead was a full-court press from two cities, and a quiet assist from her own teammate.

Sophie Cunningham Stirs City Talk As WNBA Expansion Debate Heats Up

Sophie Cunningham didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Cleveland and Detroit in the WNBA’s latest expansion update, and both cities heard her loud and clear. But beyond the online jabs and clapbacks, her comments stirred a bigger discussion: who really gets to decide where pro women’s hoops should land next?

Jul 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates after making a three point shot against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half during the Commissioner’s Cup final at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Whether you agree with Sophie Cunningham or not, her take added fuel to an already hot expansion timeline. She wasn’t just tossing names—she put forward cities like Miami and Nashville, places players might circle on their calendars with excitement, not eye-rolls. The problem? That’s not how league decisions always work.

Free speech is out there for everyone, but when you’re in a position of influence, like Sophie Cunningham and her influence on the growing WNBA, you know that your words can turn doubters to believers and casual thinkers into opinion givers.

Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) runs back up the court during the game against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

People will listen if you’re on a pedestal high enough. And that alone should be another thing to think about before dishing out your hot takes. Players take notes!

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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