In the world of WNBA, things just got a lot more… political. Sophie Cunningham, the Phoenix Mercury guard known for her hard-nosed style on the court, is now making waves off it. Not for her basketball prowess this time, but for stirring up controversy by subtly throwing shade at none other than Vice President Kamala Harris. And yes, WNBA fans are divided — as they always are when sports and politics mix.
Recently, Cunningham shared a spicy Instagram story that poked fun at Harris’ podcast appearance, where the VP took aim at one of the presidential candidates. This little act of shade didn’t go unnoticed. Reddit exploded faster than a LeBron James dunk, with some fans labeling her “the white Angel Reese.” That’s right, Angel Reese — the LSU star known for unapologetically owning the basketball court and her opinions.
Fans Lose It on Reddit
Some fans came to Cunningham’s defense, comparing her political alignment to that of Reese. One Redditor hilariously commented, “What a brave woman. It’s hard to be classy and hate having rights.” (That sarcasm, though!)
Another user reminisced about Cunningham’s earlier social media stumbles during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, “She was liking some really stupid sh*t when covid first started up.” If Twitter fingers had a Hall of Fame, Sophie might be the first WNBA inductee.
The comment that really takes the cake? “White women are anti-Kamala because if she wins, we’re never getting a white woman for president.” Now that’s some next-level political prophecy from u/pumpsci, citing none other than comedian Nick Mullen.
‘MAGA?’ Nope. Just ‘Hot Cowgirl Summer’
For those thinking Sophie’s fully MAGA now, hold your horses. She sparked a mini scandal earlier for rocking a red hat, which some mistook for Trump’s infamous “Make America Great Again” swag. But relax, it was just a “Hot Cowgirl Summer” cap. Though, let’s be real, the confusion probably wasn’t coincidental. A little ambiguity never hurt anyone… right?
Now, with her latest Instagram antics, Sophie’s social media game is once again drawing fans’ attention — and not necessarily in a “here’s my highlight reel” kind of way.
Contract Extension with Mercury? Cha-Ching!
But here’s where it gets fun: despite all the political chatter, Cunningham’s pocketbook is still in good shape. She recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Phoenix Mercury, a team that clearly knows how to separate basketball from personal opinion. The new deal is reportedly worth $100,000, with a juicy $35,000 Time-Off Bonus — probably for when the social media trolls get too much.
After the deal, Sophie commented, “I’m a very loyal person; I’ve been with the Mercury and love it. It’s my new home, away from home.” So, even if she’s throwing shade online, she’s locking down contracts offline. Priorities, people.
On the Court: More Than Just Politics
Oh, and in case you forgot, Cunningham can ball. She appeared in 40 games this season, averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Solid stats, but clearly, it’s her off-the-court moves that have everyone talking.
In the offseason, Sophie flexes her broadcasting muscles as a guest analyst for the Phoenix Suns. Maybe if basketball and politics don’t work out, she can join ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” and throw shade for a living.
Conclusion: The New Face of WNBA’s Political Drama?
So, is Sophie Cunningham really the “white Angel Reese”? That’s up for debate. But one thing’s for sure: love her or hate her, she’s going to keep people talking. Whether it’s her basketball game or her political stance, Sophie’s keeping it spicy — and cashing in on the way.
At the end of the day, in the world of sports, a little controversy never hurt anyone’s career… or contract negotiations. Just ask Sophie.