Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently ignited controversy with her comments about the WNBA‘s expansion plans.
In an interview, she questioned the excitement surrounding the league’s decision to add teams in Detroit and Cleveland, stating, “I don’t know how excited people are going to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”
She suggested that cities like Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City might offer better fan engagement.
Detroit’s response on social media
The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
— City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) July 1, 2025
Additionally more than… https://t.co/ePZhzQE1f3
The City of Detroit’s official social media accounts swiftly addressed Cunningham’s comments. They highlighted the city’s past success with the Detroit Shock and emphasized Detroit’s status as a passionate sports town. The city’s response highlighted its fan base and unwavering readiness to embrace the return of a WNBA team.
Why is Sophie Cunningham controversial?
And she’s unfortunately too young to know Detroit was ranked top 5 in attendance when we had the Shock, and won three titles in 6 years.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 1, 2025
I’m fully aware of Indiana’s basketball pedigree but she took a silly shot at Detroit for no reason, when she should be embracing league… https://t.co/AwbuplLYNl
A rumored Trump supporter, no stranger to controversy, Cunningham’s remarks have sparked backlash across the basketball community.
Notably, Detroit native and journalist Jemele Hill criticized Cunningham, pointing out that Detroit had a strong WNBA presence with the Detroit Shock, which ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals. Hill emphasized that Cunningham’s comments were dismissive of the city’s rich basketball history.
Additionally, NFL player Dan Skipper responded to Cunningham’s comment about Detroit, stating, “You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now.” This response highlights the local pride and support for Detroit’s sports culture.
WNBA’s expansion plans
You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now. https://t.co/YJEKazHkJE
— Dan Skipper (@DanSkipper70) July 1, 2025
The WNBA announced plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030). This expansion aims to bring professional women’s basketball to new and passionate fan bases in more cities. The league’s commitment to growing the game and increasing opportunities for players is evident in this strategic move.
Cunningham’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the WNBA’s expansion strategy and the importance of respecting cities with rich sports legacies. While her intentions may have been to suggest alternative cities with potentially larger fan bases, her remarks have been met with strong responses from both Detroit and Cleveland. As the league continues to grow, it will be crucial to consider the historical and cultural significance of each city to ensure the success and sustainability of new franchises.
