WNBA’s Cunningham Stands Firm Amid Pride Ball Backlash…
a move that’s rippling through the sports world, WNBA sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham has ignited a firestorm by refusing to touch a Pride-themed basketball during a recent Indiana Fever practice scrimmage. The custom ball, adorned with rainbow colors and LGBTQ+ symbols to honor the league’s ongoing allyship initiatives, was meant to foster inclusivity ahead of the 2026 season. But Cunningham, a vocal conservative voice in women’s hoops, drew a hard line.
“Even if it made me more famous or got me more sponsorships, I would never accept it,” Cunningham declared on her podcast *Show Me Something*, her tone unyielding. “This isn’t about hate—it’s about my faith and boundaries. I support people living their lives, but I won’t compromise my principles for optics.” The 29-year-old guard, known for her gritty defense and off-court candor, cited her Christian beliefs as the core of her stance, echoing past comments on gender in sports that already stirred debate.
The backlash was swift and savage. Social media erupted with #BoycottSophie hashtags, as fans accused her of bigotry and hypocrisy—pointing to her 2023 sponsorship of the Arizona Pride 16U AAU girls’ team, a queer-inclusive youth program. “How do you back Pride for kids but snub it now?” one viral tweet fumed, amassing 50K likes. LGBTQ+ advocates, including GLAAD, condemned her words as “divisive in a league built on unity,” while Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, a longtime ally, posted a subtle rainbow emoji in response. Protests brewed outside the team’s arena, with chants of “Love Wins” clashing against Cunningham’s supporters waving “Faith Over Fame” signs.
Yet, Cunningham’s defenders flooded X and TikTok, praising her “courage in a woke era.” Conservative commentators like Matt Walsh amplified her clip, framing it as resistance to “corporate rainbow-washing.” Ratings for her podcast spiked 300%, and a GoFundMe for “Sophie’s Stand” hit $200K overnight, drawing donations from faith-based groups. “She’s the only one saying what real fans think,” one backer posted. Even as the WNBA issued a vague statement on “respecting diverse views,” whispers of fines or suspension swirled, testing Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s already-fragile grip amid expansion woes.
This isn’t Cunningham’s first rodeo. The Missouri alum has clashed with the league over officiating, expansion cities like Detroit, and now, her jump to startup league Project B for a $2M deal. Critics say her defiance risks alienating queer fans—who make up 20% of WNBA viewership—but allies argue it’s authenticity that sells tickets. As debates rage from barbershops to boardrooms, one thing’s clear: Cunningham’s shot has landed, splitting the court wide open. Will it unite or unravel the league’s fragile progress? Only time—and tip-off—will tell.
