Diana Taurasi BLAST Sophie Cunningham: “Put Some Clothes On – This Isn’t a Strip Club, It’s the WNBA”**..
In a shocking turn of events that has ignited fierce debate across the WNBA community, legendary Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi unleashed a scathing public critique on Sophie Cunningham, accusing her of prioritizing provocative displays over the sport’s integrity. The 41-year-old icon, fresh off her 2024 retirement announcement, didn’t mince words during a heated post-practice presser on December 8, 2025, labeling Cunningham’s tunnel fashion choices as “distractions that cheapen what we’ve built.”
“Look, Sophie’s talented – no denying that,” Taurasi fired off, her voice laced with frustration. “But every game, it’s the same: skin-tight minis, plunging necklines, outfits that scream ‘look at me’ instead of ‘watch me ball.’ We’re pros, not runway models chasing likes. It’s embarrassing, and it’s time someone said it.” Taurasi, a three-time champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, pointed to Cunningham’s recent leggy ensemble – an oversized Mercury jersey homage to her own career, paired with thigh-high boots that left little to the imagination. “That’s not tribute; that’s thirst trap,” she added.
The feud traces back to Cunningham’s meteoric rise since her 2019 draft. Known as the “Barbie of the Bench,” the 28-year-old sharpshooter has built a massive off-court brand, amassing over 500,000 Instagram followers with pre-game fits that blend athletic chic and bold sensuality. From Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots to tiny tops flashing tan lines, her style has drawn praise for empowering body positivity but also backlash for sexualizing women’s hoops. A 2021 Finals incident with Chicago’s Kahleah Copper, where Cunningham’s on-court energy spilled into viral trash-talk memes, only amplified the narrative.
Cunningham, now a rising star with the Indiana Fever after signing a lucrative free-agent deal in 2025, fired back on X (formerly Twitter). “DT’s the GOAT, but she’s stuck in the ’90s. My body, my rules – if it sells tickets and inspires girls, that’s winning. Jealous much?” Her response racked up 10,000 likes in hours, splitting fans. Supporters hailed her as a modern trailblazer, while critics echoed Taurasi’s call for modesty, arguing it undermines the league’s push for respect amid skyrocketing viewership.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert weighed in neutrally, urging unity: “Fashion fuels our culture, but focus stays on the floor.” Yet, the rift exposes deeper tensions: Taurasi’s old-school grit versus Cunningham’s Gen-Z flair. As the 2026 season looms, will this “Blast from the Past” heal or fracture the Mercury legacy? One thing’s clear – in women’s basketball, the real game is just heating up
