Sophie Cunningham didn’t hold back when defending the impact of her Indiana Fever teammate, Caitlin Clark, on the WNBA. The veteran guard fired back at critics who deny Clark’s influence on the league’s visibility and popularity, calling their arguments “dumb as shit.”
Why Is Sophie Cunningham So Passionate About Defending Caitlin Clark?
Cunningham, who joined the Fever this season, is known for her intensity both on and off the court, particularly when it comes to defending Clark. Her blunt comments about Clark’s critics came during the pilot episode of her new podcast, “Show Me Something,” with West Wilson.
Clark has generated record-breaking TV ratings, sold-out arenas, and has a massive media presence since being drafted by the Fever as the first pick in 2024. However, many WNBA players have allegedly shown jealousy toward her, evidenced by Clark receiving few All-Star votes from her peers, though fans voted her first.
When Wilson asked why people are “bullying” Clark, Cunningham didn’t mince words. “It literally pisses me off when people say [Caitlin Clark is] not the face of the league. WHAT? There’s really good, well known people in our league. I’m not discrediting them. We have a lot of bada** players in our league. Hell yeah to that, I’m all for that.”
“When people try to argue that she’s not the face of our league or if our league would be where we’re at without her, you’re dumb as shit. You’re literally dumb as fuck,” she added.
What Does Cunningham See in Clark Off the Court?
Beyond defending Clark’s impact on the league, Cunningham offered insight into her teammate’s personality away from the spotlight. She pointed out that Indiana isn’t typically considered a major sporting market, but Clark’s presence has transformed that dynamic.
Cunningham also shared that Clark maintains a surprisingly laid-back personality despite her superstar status.
“She’s just goofy,” Cunningham said. “I think that’s the thing. Everyone expects her to be a certain way, and she is on the court, but like, she is just, she’s low-key a kid. Like, she’s 23 years old. Like, she’s like my little cousin, you know what I mean?”
“And so it’s been fun just to kind of, like, see where she’s at in her career and whatnot. But I promise you, she’s like so chill. She doesn’t care. She’s always in sweats and a sweatshirt. Like, she literally does not care,” she added.
How Does Clark’s Presence Impact Cunningham’s Game?
As for how Clark’s presence affects her own performance, Cunningham explained that her All-Star teammate draws so much defensive attention that it creates better opportunities for her as a shooter. The 28-year-old also emphasized that Clark is the type of player who elevates everyone around her.
Unfortunately, Clark has been sidelined due to a right groin injury suffered during a game against the Connecticut Sun. The injury forced her to withdraw from the All-Star game, leaving the Fever without their cornerstone player.
The Fever initially struggled without Clark, losing two consecutive games to the New York Liberty. However, the team has since found its rhythm and bounced back with a three-game winning streak.
