Sophie Cunningham discusses comments on league growth and athlete participation
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 10:05 AM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is addressing public backlash following comments regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports and the growth of the WNBA. In a July profile for ESPN, Cunningham stated she aimed to protect young girls in sports, a position that drew criticism. She later faced additional scrutiny for remarks made on her podcast, No Hesitation, regarding teammate Caitlin Clark and her influence on the league’s popularity. Cunningham maintained that acknowledging Clark as the primary driver of the WNBA’s recent global expansion should not result in controversy. Currently playing on a one-year contract, Cunningham is under pressure to improve her on-court performance following a difficult stretch heading into the FIBA break. Her future role with the team may depend on her ability to produce more effectively during the remainder of the season.
- •Sophie Cunningham sparked public debate with comments about transgender athletes in women’s sports.
- •Cunningham attributed the rapid growth of the WNBA primarily to the influence of Caitlin Clark.
- •The Indiana Fever guard is currently playing on a one-year contract.
- •Cunningham struggled with her individual performance leading into the FIBA break.
- 10:05 AMYahoo Sports — ‘I really lean into that’: Sophie Cunningham reacts to being called WNBA’s ‘sex symbol’
- 5:56 AMYahoo Sports — ‘I should not get in trouble’: Sophie Cunningham doubles down on controversial stance
"Sophie Cunningham has been at the center of controversy throughout this WNBA season, following her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in a July profile. “I think that I am here to…
"Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been at the center of a nationwide debate on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports since her comments in a July 21 ESPN profile. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in the…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 10:05 AM‘I really lean into that’: Sophie Cunningham reacts to being called WNBA’s ‘sex symbol’
Sophie Cunningham has been at the center of controversy throughout this WNBA season, following her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in a July profile. “I think that I am here to…
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 5:56 AM‘I should not get in trouble’: Sophie Cunningham doubles down on controversial stance
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been at the center of a nationwide debate on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports since her comments in a July 21 ESPN profile. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in the…
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