Sophie Cunningham discusses comments on league growth and athlete participation

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.

• 5:56 AMYahoo Sports — ‘I should not get in trouble’: Sophie Cunningham doubles down on controversial stance