"The WNBA media, all we ever do is cover everything except basketball," Cunningham said."You can talk about other things, those are great stories, it shows fans who people (are) outside of the court, but I think we gotta keep the main thing the main thing."Cunningham's comments come after being at the center of a national media firestorm for weeks, after an ESPN article reported quotes in which she expressed support for the protection of women's sports.
Cunningham claimed the interview for that piece happened earlier this year.WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS WNBA STAR SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM AFTER SHE SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTSIndiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reacts to game action against the Portland Fire during the first half at Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on July 31, 2026.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)"I want to get back to basketball," Cunningham said.
"I just want to make sure that the focus stays where it should because people are playing at such a high level."Cunningham's public stance on the issue has prompted rallies at the Fever's last three games, with two more rallies scheduled for their game in Chicago against the Sky on Saturday, and their game in New York against the Liberty on Aug.22.
The rallies have thrust the entire WNBA into the national debate over the issue of trans athletes in women's sports, as four coaches have gone on record with statements about the issue since the rallies began.At the Fever's most recent game against the Minnesota Lynx, Cunningham was seen having an intense conversation with Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was wearing a "trans kids belong" shirt."Yeah, she just came up and I respect her for coming up in person," Cunningham said Wednesday of the conversation."I think a lot of people hide behind screens and love that type of thing.CHERYL REEVE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WITH ‘TRANS KIDS BELONG’ SHIRT DURING FEVER-LYNX GAMESophie Cunningham No.
8 of the Indiana Fever warms up before ...