Sophie Cunningham says WNBA can discuss both controversy, basketball | Exclusive

Atlanta – Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is signing autographs for a crowd of excited fans ahead of an upcoming match against the Atlanta Dream on August 16. The WNBA veteran has become a popular figure this season, following her July 2023 interview with ESPN, in which she expressed her stance on transgender athlete inclusion. Since then, demonstrations supporting her views have become commonplace outside Fever games.

In a conversation with USA TODAY Sports, Cunningham emphasized that she believes both discussing controversial topics and maintaining a focus on basketball are possible. She noted that the WNBA has the opportunity to showcase how to effectively handle sensitive issues while promoting the league's high-level basketball. Cunningham is second in the WNBA for 3-point shooting percentage (44.5%) and her teammate Kelsey Mitchell is fourth at 43.7%. Mitchell is also in a record-breaking streak, scoring 20 points or more in 20 consecutive games.

WNBA players have continued to discuss the controversy surrounding Cunningham's comments, with the league distancing itself from a Reddit fan subreddit that allegedly attempted to ban mention of Cunningham's name. The WNBA clarified that content related to the guard should be allowed, as long as it is basketball-related. During a game between the Fever and Dream, fans were reportedly asked to cover up their shirts displaying the XX-XY Athletics brand, which Cunningham's supporters support. The WNBA expressed that such actions were inappropriate and should not have occurred.