WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham’s family has publicly backed her as fan debate and social media outrage continue to surround her. Her mother and sister stepped in to defend her online after heavy backlash and criticism from some sports analysts.
Her sister, Lindsey Cunningham, responded to the criticism with a blunt message on social media: “Can confirm there are zero [expletives] given.” Her mother, Paula Cunningham, also addressed fans directly on X. When asked in a fan poll whether she would keep supporting Sophie given all the noise, she replied: “Yes yes!”
Family has defended Sophie Cunningham before
The Cunninghams have a history of coming to her defence, the report notes. For years, they have publicly and loudly raised concerns about physical play and uneven officiating in the league.
The latest attention has also centred on Cunningham’s decision to speak out about efforts to keep women’s sport in public consciousness, the physicality of sport, and her refusal to sell out to critics.
Cunningham hits back at columnists and online critics
Responding to columnists and online critics who questioned her worth to teams such as the Indiana Fever, Cunningham said: “Most of these people haven’t even played with a ball in their whole life, and they just, like, are craving to get that attention or be relevant… I really don’t care what people say, I’m just going to continue doing me. I know what I bring to the table. It’s not always in the stat sheet.”
Although critics have called for her removal or tried to silence her, her social media numbers have grown sharply. The source says this suggests her approach is still attracting a broad base of support.
Free agency looms as Fever praise Cunningham
With one offseason left before WNBA free agency, Cunningham remains a hot topic. Some analysts are still weighing her value on the court and in her team’s locker room.
Those close to her, including Fever general manager Amber Cox, have already described her as a leader with a dangerous mentality and a hard worker.
Whatever the criticism, Sophie Cunningham and her family show no sign of backing down from standing up for their views and being themselves.
