Sophie Cunningham clarifies WNBA expansion comments
Sophie Cunningham was the center of controversy over comments about the WNBA’s expansion to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, and, on Thursday, she attempted to clarify her message ahead of the Fever’s win over the Aces.
The Indiana fan favorite previously questioned whether players would be excited about going to cities like Cleveland and Detroit compared to other bids, which included Miami, Nashville and Kansas City.
The comments didn’t sit well with those in Detroit and Cleveland and others around the WNBA, but Cunningham said on Thursday that she was only talking about the off-the-court lifestyle players would enjoy in the more tourist-friendly cities.
“First of all, I know the history behind the WNBA. I know both of those cities had teams before and they got us where we’re at, so I’m thankful for that,” Cunningham said before getting into her bigger point during a conversation with Fever reporter Tony East.
“All I was really getting at is Broadway, the off-court lifestyle, so I think that is really intriguing. I think Miami is really intriguing. That’s all I was getting at. I’m thankful for what they’ve done for our history of the sport. I think it’d be fun to get some teams outside the NBA market. I do think there’s benefits when you do have an NBA team, but that’s all I was getting at.”
Social media accounts for both cities pounced on Cunningham’s comments, with Cleveland posting a video of Cunningham’s teammate Caitlin Clark positively talking about the city during the 2024 women’s college basketball Final Four.
Detroit also pushed back at the comments, posting on X, “Detroit is a sports town. We’re sure we’ll see the same excitement for the WNBA returning.”
Cunningham felt that her comments were “misread.”
“I think people totally misread that situation,” she said. “I would never speak down upon middle class, blue-collar working people. That’s where I come from, I’m from Missouri, I get I’m in Indiana and that’s why I’m kind of hinting at. Broadway sounds fun, Sophie in Miami sounds fun. All I was saying.”
The WNBA announced Monday that the league would be expanding to Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia, all cities with NBA franchises and histories of supporting their NBA clubs.
Detroit had also previously been home to a WNBA franchise, which won championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008.