In the latest episode of “What Did They Just Say?”, Phoenix Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham has fans and social media users spinning with her recent antics. If you’re wondering how we got here, buckle up because things got political fast—and not in the calm, Sunday-morning-paper way.
Cunningham, who’s known for her feisty on-court attitude, stepped off the hardwood and straight into the political boxing ring by sharing a podcast clip featuring none other than Vice President Kamala Harris. In true subtle fashion (read: absolutely no subtlety), Cunningham took a jab at Harris. This didn’t sit well with a chunk of WNBA fans, especially after it became clear she’s aligning herself with—you guessed it—Team MAGA. Cue the Reddit storms, memes, and passionate “hot takes” from both sides of the aisle.
“The White Angel Reese?”
Now, before you jump to conclusions, yes, fans really compared Cunningham to Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese. “She’s the white Angel Reese,” one fan said, presumably stirring their pot of online drama with a ladle. But if we dig deeper, it’s not about basketball skills. It’s about two athletes throwing shade like pros, with a sprinkling of “I-do-what-I-want” attitude.
But it didn’t stop there. Another Reddit user, u/pumpsci (who definitely has a future in political commentary), chimed in, saying, “White women are anti-Kamala because if she wins, we’re never getting a white woman president. (Nick Mullen prophesied this.)” It’s the kind of analysis you’d expect from a high-level political strategist… or, you know, Reddit.
MAGA Hat or Hot Cowgirl Summer?
Of course, this isn’t the first time Cunningham found herself in the eye of a social media storm. You remember the red hat, right? No, it wasn’t a MAGA hat (although the resemblance was suspicious). This hat said “Hot Cowgirl Summer,” which, depending on how you look at it, could be even more dangerous. Either way, the internet blew up, because as we know, the only thing the internet loves more than basketball is arguing about hats.
Now, Sophie’s back in the headlines, and her latest move has the WNBA world buzzing once again. Fans were quick to dig up receipts from her social media history. One user, u/iguanamac, probably with a dusty folder of screenshots on standby, recalled that Cunningham’s pandemic-era posts were “liking some really stupid stuff when COVID first started up.” Oh, the power of hindsight and the internet’s eternal memory.
The Sophie Show Must Go On
Despite all the drama, Cunningham is still thriving on the court and with her contract. She recently signed a one-year extension with the Phoenix Mercury, where she’s been balling out since she was drafted. Her new deal, clocking in at $100,000 (plus a sweet $35,000 Time-Off Bonus—because who doesn’t need a little extra cash to relax after stirring the political pot?), shows that she’s got more to offer the league.
Speaking about her extension, Cunningham oozed loyalty, saying, “I’ve been with the Mercury and love it. It’s my new home, away from home.” Apparently, Phoenix is not just a team; it’s a state of mind, one that involves both basketball and off-season broadcasting duties with the Phoenix Suns. It’s like she’s practicing for her next career move in case she ever needs a break from stirring political tea.
The Final Shot
With 40 games under her belt this season and some solid stats—8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game—Cunningham is staying relevant on and off the court. Whether she’s dropping buckets or dropping social media bombs, she’s proving one thing: Sophie Cunningham is never boring.
So, whether you’re team Kamala, team Sophie, or just here for the comments, one thing’s for sure—Cunningham knows how to keep people talking. Is she really the “white Angel Reese”? Maybe. But one thing’s certain: when it comes to stirring the pot, Sophie is playing an entirely different game, and we’re all just watching.
