The WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), in general, and the Indiana Fever team, in particular, have gained greater clout and public recognition — and fan support — since Caitlin Clark left a stellar college career to join the league. Since Clark arrived on the scene with the Fever, things have gone up dramatically for players league-wide. Attendance is skyrocketing, along with salaries, and players fly charter rather than Southwest.
Of course, some opposing players actually resent Clark, as evidenced by one who appeared to assault her throat with her fist while Clark lay helpless on the floor.
Clark has a teammate who is also making headlines — and earning liberal scorn and tirades. Sophie Cunningham, who also has a lucrative side career on ads for Yrefy, Adidas, and Arby’s, continues to speak out in favor of keeping women’s sports closed to trans athletes. Her comments have earned her the scornful sobriquet of “MAGA Barbie.”
On ESPN, Cunningham said: “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. I’m like, I never once said that. I think I’m here to extend love, but I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room or young g
When queried about her stance by reporters just this past evening before a game, she replied: “I think I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense.”
On her politics, Cunningham explained in another interview: “I’m very much in the middle [politically]. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”
That, of course, doesn’t stop leftistas and the liberal media from trying to paint her into a far-right corner. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and many WNBA fans have criticized her remarks, arguing that her stance contributes to the exclusion and marginalization of trans women in athletics.
Former teammate Brianna Turner wrote in USA Today about Cunningham’s comments: “Focusing on who should be allowed to call themselves a woman distracts from the structural inequities that actually limit women’s opportunities.”
Cunningham’s opinion about men in women’s sports dates back to her days as a relatively unknown player with the Phoenix Mercury. Cunningham first drew heat in 2022 for retweeting criticism of swimmer Lia Thomas, the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, after she/he won the women’s 500-yard freestyle that year.
On a professional note, Clark, Cunningham, and teammates seem to enjoy the team dynamics, as the Fever are setting WNBA scoring records.
[PICTURED: Cunningham on the set of Good Morning America.]
