Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is taking a victory lap of sorts, claiming that the firestorm surrounding her recent comments on transgender athletes has been a windfall for the WNBA. The league has seen a surge in interest, and Cunningham is quick to credit her own polarizing stance for bringing in a new wave of fans.
Last month, Cunningham made waves by stating she wants to "protect" young girls from sharing locker rooms and competing against "biological men." The remarks ignited protests outside WNBA arenas and thrust the league into the heart of a national culture war. But instead of shying away from the controversy, Cunningham is embracing it as a catalyst for growth.
Speaking to reporters before the Fever's loss to the New York Liberty on Saturday, Cunningham argued that the discourse has translated into tangible gains for the WNBA. "You have a lot of new fans, not only just watching, but coming to games and seeing the environment and seeing the talent," she said. "I think anytime you can get more eyes on the W, that's an awesome thing, because then that inspires other young kids that maybe have never seen the game or heard about the game or been to a game, they get that experience. So I definitely think that it's been a very positive thing."
This optimistic take marks a shift from her earlier frustration, when she criticized WNBA media for focusing on "everything except basketball"—a complaint that now seems ironic given her own role in steering the conversation away from the court. The league has indeed seen a spike in attendance and viewership, but whether that's directly tied to Cunningham's comments remains a point of debate.
Liberty star Breanna Stewart, however, is urging caution. She emphasized the importance of maintaining an inclusive environment as the league grows. "The inclusivity [of the WNBA] is the big thing for me," Stewart said via the New York Post. "I don't want to turn anyone away at the door because that's not right either. But I know for a fact that people have safe space here when they come to these games, and that's something that … is really precious, and you have to hold on to and make sure that doesn't change."
Stewart's comments come amid scheduled demonstrations at games, with fans on both sides of the issue making their voices heard. The WNBA has long prided itself on being a progressive league, and the recent controversy has tested that reputation. Cunningham, for her part, remains unapologetic, even as she faces boos on the road—a reception she handled with grace in Toronto, as she won over the crowd after the initial jeers.
The debate has also spawned a wave of online discourse, with some fans questioning whether Cunningham's new followers are genuine basketball enthusiasts or simply culture-war tourists. A recent social media challenge highlighted that many of her supporters couldn't name five WNBA players, raising eyebrows about the quality of the attention she's touting.
Nevertheless, Cunningham's stance has found allies, including Canadian powerlifter April Hutchinson, who stood with Cunningham in Toronto, and sports commentator Sam Ponder, who praised her classy response to the boos. The controversy has also overshadowed other storylines, like the viral call for discipline after Angel Reese's elbow on Cunningham.
As the WNBA continues to ride a wave of momentum built over the past five years, the league faces a delicate balancing act. Cunningham's comments have undeniably put the W in the spotlight, but at what cost? Stewart's plea for inclusivity suggests that the league's core values may be at stake. For now, Cunningham is basking in the attention, confident that more eyes on the game—whatever the reason—is a net positive.
