Sophie Cunningham has a message for her detractors: keep it moving. The Indiana Fever guard turned heads this week with a pregame outfit that doubled as a not-so-subtle rebuttal to the backlash she's faced over her stance on transgender athletes in women's sports.
Cunningham, who has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind, made waves earlier this season when she told ESPN that she believes transgender athletes should be excluded from women's competition. She said she wanted to "protect young girls in the locker room" and argued they "shouldn't have to go against biological men." The comments sparked a firestorm, but Cunningham refused to walk them back.
"I said what I said. I think it's kind of common sense," Cunningham told reporters earlier this season. "And I think I'll always believe in that. I think it's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said."
Rather than let the criticism die down, Cunningham poured gasoline on the flames Wednesday. She showed up to pregame photos wearing a shirt that read "Kick Rocks" — and made sure the camera caught it. Pointing directly at the message, she posted the images with a caption that left little to interpretation: "i mean….. if the shoe fits 🤷🏼♀️🙂."
The move was classic Cunningham — unapologetic, a little cheeky, and fully aware of the spotlight. It's the kind of moment that has made her a polarizing figure, but also a fan favorite among those who appreciate her willingness to stand her ground.
Her followers ate it up. "Okay but where is this sweater from," one fan joked. Another wrote, "Love this so much." A third added, "All around smoke show. You go Soph. 👍🏻☀️😎🫡" And one more chimed in, "Girl, I know that's right! 👏"
Of course, not everyone was cheering. Cunningham has her share of critics, and the shirt only added fuel to an already heated debate. But if she's bothered by the noise, she's certainly not showing it. If anything, she seems to be enjoying the back-and-forth — a dynamic that's become familiar for athletes who wade into cultural conversations. It's a playbook we've seen before, from Sydney Sweeney's defiant response to critics of her sports betting ad to other stars who refuse to apologize for their beliefs.
Meanwhile, Cunningham and the Fever have plenty to focus on beyond the off-court chatter. Indiana took down the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 earlier this week, improving to 28-15 on the season as they gear up for what they hope is a deep playoff run. Cunningham's energy and edge have been part of the team's identity all year, and she's not about to change now.
Whether you love her or love to hate her, one thing is clear: Sophie Cunningham isn't going anywhere — and she's not about to soften her stance for anyone. If the shoe fits, after all, you might as well wear it.
