Sophie Cunningham recently found herself at the center of controversy, much of which she brought on herself by making controversial comments about transgender people competing in women’s sports.
Yet, when it came time to take further action, when her moment in the spotlight she’s sought out landed on her, one sports personality believes Cunningham “ducked the smoke.”
Jemele Hill Goes Off on Cunningham ‘Ducking Smoke’
Recently, Jemele Hill of The Atlantic took to X rather than her usual various video platforms to send a message, a charged one criticizing Cunningham.
“Just a couple weeks ago, Sophie Cunningham was asked about the negative attention the W receives and she essentially said, that’s part of the job and she realizes she’s an entertainer. Cool,” Hill said.
“She’s building an entire brand on being outspoken and yet when the smoke came, she ducked it. The Fever betrayed their other players and Stephanie White by putting them in a position to answer to something they didn’t say.”
Hill argues that Cunningham shouldn’t have waited to take action; she should have gotten ahead of the situation and addressed it head-on.
“Roberta had every right to ask these questions,” Hill argued. “The Sophie Cunningham rally happened at this game. If a rally is taking place outside the arena, you don’t (wait) until later to ask about it.”
Ultimately, Hill believes that if Cunningham and the Fever intend to speak up, they need to be prepared to back it up, too.
“If Sophie Cunningham is going to build a brand behind being outspoken, her and the Fever are going to have to take the [expletive] that comes with it,” Hill said. “Don’t be in it for the jersey sales and then when people start asking questions, you want to run. It doesn’t work that way.”
Just a couple weeks ago, Sophie Cunningham was asked about the negative attention the W receives and she essentially said, that’s part of the job and she realizes she’s an entertainer. Cool.
She’s building an entire brand on being outspoken and yet when the smoke came, she… https://t.co/qCxs3MEUVM
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 30, 2026
To be fair, Hill’s statement was made before Cunningham later responded, on X.
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” Cunningham posted.
“Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is,” she added.
I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind.
Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from… https://t.co/gIVWhEHi3Q
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 30, 2026
While Cunningham likely feels better about telling more of her side of the story, she’ll still face criticism for “ducking the smoke” and for initially avoiding the media and choosing to post a message on social media instead.
It’s hard to say whether Hill would still have reacted the way she did, given how Cunningham responded. Then again, based on her initial reaction, Hill might argue that Cunningham’s words were too little, too late.
Chances are, Hill will have a reaction to Cunningham’s latest comments, too.
