Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham used Friday’s episode of “No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham & Drew Hanlen” to push back against a recent column in The Athletic, a New York Times‑owned outlet, that urged the franchise to move on from her. The column argued that Cunningham’s outspoken views on protecting girls from competing against biological men had become a distraction for the team.
Direct Response on the Podcast
When asked about the criticism, Cunningham delivered a blunt retort: “Suck it.” She added that she no longer lets outside opinions dictate how she lives, saying, “That’s why I literally don’t even care what anyone says about me anymore. If you’re going to live by the praise, you’re going to die by the hate.” The former Indiana native emphasized that her convictions extend beyond the stat sheet.
Statistical Contributions Highlighted
Co‑host Drew Hanlen defended Cunningham’s on‑court value, noting she ranked fourth among the WNBA’s bench scorers and was a top‑five three‑point shooter league‑wide. “So yes, a lot of teams would want a top‑five bench scorer that also happens to be a top‑five three‑point shooter in the entire league, not just bench players,” Hanlen said.
Hanlen also cited Cunningham’s 60.8% effective field‑goal percentage, which placed her fourth in the league, and her 41.9% three‑point shooting mark across 43 appearances. Over the regular season, Cunningham averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists, starting three games.
Context of the Debate
The Athletic piece described Cunningham as “too combustible” and suggested her vocal opposition to biological men competing in girls’ and women’s sports had drawn protests outside Fever games. Demonstrators on both sides of the issue gathered at the arena, but Cunningham said she was not concerned that the rallies would distract her teammates.
While the column acknowledged Cunningham’s intangible contributions as a “protective teammate,” it claimed her on‑court impact did not shine on a traditional stat sheet. Cunningham countered that effectiveness cannot always be measured by numbers alone, stating, “No matter what anyone says to me, I’m going to continue to do me. I know what I bring to the table. It’s not always in the stat sheet. And so for you to say I’m not effective, whatever—Suck it.”
Looking Ahead
Cunningham is headed toward unrestricted free agency after two seasons with the Fever. Her stance on protecting girls’ sports has made her a polarizing figure, but she remains unapologetic and confident in her role both on and off the court.
As the WNBA season progresses, the discussion around biological men in girls’ and women’s athletics is likely to continue, with Cunningham positioned as a vocal advocate for what she describes as fair competition. Whether her views will influence future league policies or team decisions remains to be seen, but her willingness to speak her mind has undeniably kept the conversation in the public eye.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
