League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Riley Gaines argues Sophie Cunningham deserves 2026 Female Athlete of the Year

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 8:00 AM

Last updated Aug 25, 2026

Riley Gaines argues Sophie Cunningham deserves 2026 Female Athlete of the Year

Summary

Riley Gaines has voiced strong support for Sophie Cunningham, calling it ‘rigged’ if she does not receive the 2026 Female Athlete of the Year honor. Gaines highlighted Cunningham's appeal among sports fans and her recent market success, including a sold-out Adidas shoe. Despite the controversy surrounding Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes in women's sports, her popularity has surged, resulting in a significant social media following. Cunningham and the Indiana Fever are set to focus on an important game against the Connecticut Sun this Friday, followed by a break before their final four matches of the regular season in September.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Riley Gaines claims 90% support for Sophie Cunningham among sports fans.
•Cunningham's new Adidas shoe sold out quickly following its release.
•Cunningham is trending in discussions regarding young girls in sports.
•The Indiana Fever play the Connecticut Sun on Friday.
•Cunningham's final four WNBA matches are scheduled for September.

Latest Updates

8:00 AMYahoo Sports — Riley Gaines says ‘it’s rigged’ if Sophie Cunningham doesn’t earn 2026 accolade

What they're saying

"
Sophie Cunningham has become a major talking point in the WNBA after she spoke about ‘protecting’ young girls from competing against biological males in women’s sports. She has been a controversial figure in the eyes of some, but her popularity has grown a great deal since she spoke out, including surpassing her Indiana Fever teammate, Caitlin Clark, in Instagram followers.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Connecticut Sun Indiana Fever Chicago Sky WNBA Basketball