Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has found herself at the center of controversy after making dismissive remarks about Detroit’s upcoming WNBA expansion team.
The comments, which surfaced during a recent media session, have drawn sharp responses from Detroit sports fans, Lions players, and even WNBA historians who remember the city’s strong basketball legacy.
The controversy started when Cunningham was asked about the WNBA’s newest expansion cities, which include Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. While some players expressed excitement about the league’s growth, Cunningham took a different tone.
She questioned whether players would truly be excited to play in cities like Detroit and Cleveland. Specifically, she said, “Man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cleveland,” while suggesting that markets like Miami, Nashville, or Kansas City might have been better choices.
Her comments quickly went viral, especially among Detroit sports fans. Many felt her remarks were disrespectful to a city with a proud basketball history. Detroit was home to the Detroit Shock, a WNBA franchise that won three championships and routinely drew large crowds before the team relocated to Tulsa in 2010. Shock fans pointed out that the team set attendance records, including a WNBA Finals game that hosted over 22,000 people at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Detroit Lions also entered the conversation. Offensive lineman Dan Skipper took to social media to call out Cunningham, writing, “You ever been there? Pretty good place to play. Well… not for you now.” His comment reflected the pride many Detroit athletes feel about representing the city and its sports culture.
Detroit’s official social media channels also reminded the public about the city’s strong fan base and successful track record with professional teams. The city recently hosted the 2024 NFL Draft, which drew hundreds of thousands of visitors and showcased Detroit as a vibrant sports destination.
In response to the backlash, Cunningham has not issued a formal apology, but she has clarified that her comments were more about the WNBA’s rapid expansion strategy rather than an intentional attack on Detroit. She expressed concern that the league might be expanding too quickly without enough input from current players.
Nevertheless, many believe the damage is done. Cunningham has now become a villain figure to Detroit fans, and it’s likely that her next game in the city will come with heavy boos and a hostile reception. This situation highlights how sensitive expansion topics can be in professional sports, especially when athletes question the worthiness of particular cities.
Cunningham, known for her physical style of play and willingness to speak her mind, has always embraced a “no filter” personality. While this has earned her fans in some markets, it has clearly backfired in Detroit. As the WNBA prepares for its 2029 expansion into the city, the rivalry between Cunningham and Detroit may only intensify.
In the end, Cunningham’s comments may serve as added motivation for Detroit fans to show up in force and prove her wrong when their new WNBA team finally takes the court.
