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Sophie Cunningham faces backlash for comments on rap music

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 24, 2026, 6:40 PM

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Sophie Cunningham faces backlash for comments on rap music

Summary

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is under fire after posting a TikTok distancing herself from rap music, a move criticized as targeting the genre. This controversy follows earlier comments about transgender women in sports made during a July ESPN profile, which sparked nationwide debates and rallies. Cunningham attempted to refocus on basketball ahead of a game against New York, stating she is focused on her performance. Her recent play has declined since the initial controversy, raising concerns about her future in the WNBA as her contract nears its end.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Cunningham criticized for TikTok on rap music
•Controversy follows comments on transgender athletes
•Cunningham says she wants to focus on basketball
•Performance has declined since initial comments
•Contract with Fever set to expire soon

Latest Updates

6:40 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Revolting’: Criticism mounts against Sophie Cunningham for ‘targeting rap music’

What they're saying

"
Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham sparked a nationwide controversy with her comments in a July 21 ESPN profile on the role of transgender women partcipating in women’s sports. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she said in the feature. “I think…
— Yahoo Sports

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