Sophie Cunningham has built one of the largest social media followings in the WNBA, and with that popularity has come plenty of speculation about who she is off the court. In a new interview, she decided to address some of it head-on.
The conversation covered more than basketball, and Cunningham did not hold back on the parts that frustrated her most.
Sophie Cunningham Reveals Her Political Beliefs
Speaking with ESPN’s Hallie Grossman in an extensive interview, the Indiana Fever guard was asked directly about the “MAGA Barbie” label that has followed her online for months. Cunningham pushed back on the nickname, chalking it up to assumptions people make based on her appearance and background rather than anything she has actually said.
She also addressed criticism accusing her of holding anti-trans views, an accusation she said misrepresents comments she has made about fairness in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cunningham then addressed her political leanings broadly, rejecting the idea that she fits neatly into either party.
“I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume,” Cunningham said.
On the court, Cunningham has remained a steady contributor for a Fever team enjoying one of its best seasons in franchise history. She is averaging 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists through 25 games this season, with Indiana sitting at 16-10 and in first place in the Eastern Conference.
She joined the Fever in a four-team trade ahead of the 2025 season after spending the first six years of her career with the Phoenix Mercury, who selected her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft.
Cunningham has also become known this year for building her brand outside the arena, recently taking on the role as a UFC ring girl. She has also had success as a broadcaster, hosting a podcast called “Show Me Something” and serving as an analyst for USA Network.
That visibility has only added to the scrutiny she faces whenever she speaks publicly on topics beyond the sport, something she acknowledged is unlikely to change given how large her platform has grown.
For now, she appears content to let her on-court performance speak for itself while addressing the off-court noise only when she feels it has been mischaracterized.
