The WNBA is entering a new era, driven by record ticket sales, rising revenue, and unprecedented demand since Caitlin Clark’s arrival. The league has officially announced plans to expand, aiming to match the growing appetite for women’s basketball.
While many fans and analysts see this as a positive move, not everyone in the league is as enthusiastic. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently made headlines with her blunt take on the selected expansion cities, sparking debate about the league’s future and the passion of sports fans in Detroit and Cleveland.
Sophie Cunningham Throws Shade At Detroit and Cleveland Amid WNBA’s Expansion Announcement
The WNBA announced its dramatic expansion plans, with three new franchises set to join the league in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030). All three franchises are backed by NBA ownership groups, with each paying a $250 million expansion fee.
Although a Patrick Mahomes-led consortium to bring a team to Kansas City had significant support, that bid ultimately failed. The first new team will launch in Cleveland in 2028, followed by Detroit and then Philadelphia.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham had an outspoken opinion on the matter, and her comments quickly spread across social media.
Fever star Sophie Cunningham on the WNBA expanding to multiple new cities over the next few years:
“I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland]” pic.twitter.com/pncwYpMar3
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 1, 2025
Cunningham said, “You also want to listen to your players, too. Where do they want to play? Where are they gonna get excited to play?” She went on to mention Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City as cities she believes would generate more excitement among players.
The mention of Kansas City likely refers to the failed bid led by Mahomes, which many expected to succeed. Cunningham finished with, “I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Cleveland or Detroit.”
Her comments drew immediate pushback, especially from Detroit fans and officials. The official X account for the City of Detroit responded by highlighting the city’s history with the WNBA and the passionate fan base that supported the Detroit Shock.
The Shock, who played from 1998 to 2009 before relocating to Tulsa, were one of the league’s most successful franchises, winning three WNBA titles and setting a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
Additionally more than… https://t.co/ePZhzQE1f3
— City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) July 1, 2025
Cunningham may want to reconsider her words, as Detroit’s sports culture is among the most passionate in the country. The Detroit Lions had an average home attendance of 64,922 in 2024, and the Detroit Pistons averaged 20,062 per playoff game in 2025. The city’s fans are known for their loyalty, and Detroit has a rich history of supporting its teams through ups and downs.
The same can be said for Cleveland. The Cavaliers finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference during the 2024-25 NBA season, earning the top seed and drawing strong crowds throughout the year.
Cleveland’s sports fans are fiercely loyal, and the city still celebrates the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship, brought home by LeBron James. Beyond sports, Cleveland is also home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, adding to its appeal as a destination city.
The WNBA’s decision to expand into these cities is a reflection of both their sports traditions and the league’s desire to reach new audiences. While not everyone agrees with the choices, the move signals the league’s confidence in the growing popularity of women’s basketball and its belief in the future potential of these markets.
As the expansion unfolds, all eyes will be on how fans in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia respond, and whether the league’s gamble pays off.
