Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has found her niche off the bench this season, has become a household name. Interestingly, Cunningham’s rapid rise is more about her views off the court than it is about her play on it.
In a July 21 ESPN profile, Cunningham commented on what she felt was necessary to “protect women’s sports.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) yells to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she told the Worldwide Leader after being asked about the “MAGA Barbie” nickname some fans have given her.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Local media approached Cunningham about the comments a few days later and she doubled down.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
“It’s for the leagues and governing bodies”
Cunningham’s stance has turned into a frenzied debate, with people from all corners of sports media, the White House, and multiple head coaches across the WNBA weighing in. Fever star Caitlin Clark has avoided the media since the controversy began, until her post-game session following Sunday’s defeat to the Minnesota Lynx, when she was curt in addressing the situation.
“It’s for the leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions. My focus is on basketball” Clark said.
“She’s not the hero we thought she was.”
Some of Cunningham’s staunchest supporters on social media were furious that Clark didn’t say anything in support of her teammate.
“Sophie backs you all day everyday … and you can’t hold that same respect with common sense? Hmmmmm. Don’t like this look,” one fan posted on X.
“Coward. Everyone’s so scared to fight back… I refuse to participate in their fairytales. There’s males and females. Point blank,” someone else added.
“Caitlin Clark bailed on the truth a long time ago. She’s not the hero we thought she was,” another fan added.
Considering the Fever lost 108-100 to Minnesota on Sunday, it’s probably for the best that Clark is keeping the focus on basketball, and with Cunningham only scoring three points in the contest, she may want to refocus on what’s happening on teh court as well.
