Playing alongside Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham always makes the headlines. But this time it is for all the wrong reasons possible. Indiana Fever guard made a controversial statement after she found out that the WNBA is expanding its horizon, bringing in three new teams from Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, bringing in $750 million into the WNBA league ($250 million each team).
With three new teams lined up to be part of the WNBA, there was mostly positive reaction as the league grows into something better, until Sophie Cunningham’s statements started making headlines.
Sophie Cunningham Clarified Her Comments On NBA Expansion After Detroit & Cleveland Retaliated
Cunningham responded to the criticism on social media, clarifying her views. In a video uploaded by Forbes journalist Tony East on X(formerly Twitter), she stated that she had no intention of disrespecting Detroit or Cleveland.
“Okay, first of all, I know the history behind the WNBA. I know that both of those cities have had teams before. All I was really getting at is like, Broadway [in Nashville], the offcourt lifestyle [seems fun]. And so I think that is really intriguing, I think Miami’s intriguing for WNBA. I know both cities have had teams before,” Cunningham said(Via X/@TonyREast).
Cunningham clarified that her words aimed to widen the league’s horizons, create chances for new fan experiences, and grow the WNBA’s footprint beyond conventional basketball markets. She also stated that she would never “speak down” on working-class, blue-collar cities, citing her own roots in Missouri.
Sophie Cunningham’s Cynical Statement Angered Detroit & Cleveland
Sophie Cunningham was unsure about the WNBA bringing in ‘Detroit or Cleveland’. She wasn’t sure “how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cleveland.” As, this statement went viral, fans and pundits weren’t having anything from Cunningham as she undermined the historical achievements that both cities had for the basketball world.
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After this incident, Cleveland and Detroit hit back at the Fever guard. Both teams went on their social media to make sure the answers are sent. The X(formerly Twitter) account for Cleveland posted a video of Fever star Caitlin Clark, where she claimed to have fun in Cleveland at the 2024 Final Four in college.
While Detroit straight away showed their statistics, where they tried showing off their attendance record & fans’ love for their sport in the town.
“The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals,” the City of Detroit captioned.
The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
— City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) July 1, 2025
Additionally more than… https://t.co/ePZhzQE1f3
Despite the initial criticism, the WNBA’s expansion into these strong basketball cities is an important step towards increasing the league’s presence and fan base. The move is intended to attract new viewers while also reinforcing the WNBA’s reputation as a leader in professional women’s sports.
Also Read: Sophie Cunningham Had WNBA Fans Go Wild Crazy With Her Viral Twerk During Instagram Live