The WNBA’s Controversial Divide: Sophie Cunningham’s Unlikely Rise and Why the League’s Biggest Stars Are Missing the Boat

The WNBA is in the midst of a shocking transformation, and Sophie Cunningham—yes, Sophie Cunningham—is at the heart of it. From relative obscurity to overnight fame, Cunningham has become a household name. But her rise isn’t just about her game—it’s about the bold choice she made to stand up for Caitlin Clark, the face of the WNBA. Her decision to support Clark has not only paid off in millions of followers but has sparked a massive backlash from a league that seems reluctant to embrace its biggest stars. Cunningham’s unlikely ascension is a wake-up call for the entire league. And, shockingly, many of her fellow players are still too stubborn to realize the immense opportunities that come with embracing the Clark effect. Here’s why Sophie Cunningham is leading the charge while others are stuck in self-sabotage.

The Wake-Up Call: Sophie Cunningham Defends Caitlin Clark and Wins Big

In a stunning podcast revelation, Sophie Cunningham didn’t hold back, telling listeners in no uncertain terms: “You’re literally dumb as f—” if you think Caitlin Clark isn’t the face of the WNBA. Cunningham’s blunt declaration, delivered with fiery passion, didn’t just take aim at Clark’s detractors—it was a direct challenge to a culture that’s failed to fully embrace the true power of one of its most marketable stars.

Let’s break this down: Caitlin Clark is the brightest star the WNBA has right now. Her skills on the court, her massive popularity, and her ability to draw in crowds have revolutionized the league. Yet, some players in the WNBA refuse to support her, a fact that Cunningham doesn’t hesitate to call out. “You’re dumb” if you don’t see Clark as the league’s biggest asset. The fact that Cunningham felt compelled to go this far shows the deep-rooted friction between the league’s established stars and the rising wave of new talent.

Caitlin Clark: The Face of the WNBA, Whether the League Wants It or Not

What makes Cunningham’s statement so important isn’t just her defense of Clark, it’s the truth she’s speaking. Caitlin Clark is not just a player—she’s a cultural phenomenon. With sellouts, high TV ratings, and brand partnerships that are setting records, Clark has become the WNBA’s ultimate attraction. The data doesn’t lie: Clark’s games consistently draw in millions of viewers, while other teams and players struggle to fill arenas. Yet, there are still players in the league who either don’t acknowledge Clark’s influence or even actively downplay it.

This is where the disconnect happens. Some players and staff, entrenched in their own priorities and egos, can’t see the obvious: Clark is the face of the WNBA, and any player who backs her will be rewarded—big time. Whether it’s through social media influence, endorsement deals, or increased popularity, those who ride the Clark wave will rise with her.

Cunningham, in contrast, understands this. She knows Clark’s success is the league’s success. She embraced it and got the rewards for doing so. Her popularity has skyrocketed since her support for Clark, and she’s earned everything from podcast deals to endorsements, even as Clark recovers from injury.

The Jealousy Factor: Why Some Players Won’t Back Caitlin Clark

Here’s where things get messy: Jealousy. Some players resent Clark’s rise and the attention she gets, believing it undermines their own success or takes away their spotlight. Others simply don’t have the same business savvy that Cunningham has displayed, and refuse to see the bigger picture.

Take Angel Reese, for example, who has been silent on the matter. While Reese and Clark are often compared, their rivalry has created tension in the league. Reese’s refusal to support Clark—despite the two being allies on the national stage—only highlights the bitter division in the WNBA. Cunningham, on the other hand, has thrown her weight behind Clark, seeing it as a smart, strategic move for her own career.

But this goes beyond just players. There’s a structural issue within the WNBA that refuses to embrace its own star power. With an identity crisis fueled by lack of funding, poor marketing, and dysfunctional league leadership, the WNBA is stuck in its own way. Cunningham’s rise is the perfect example of what the WNBA could achieve if it supported its stars properly. If the league had embraced Clark and her teammates from the beginning, imagine the bigger marketing campaigns, the sponsorships, and the media opportunities they could have unlocked.

Sophie Cunningham’s Boldness: Why She’s Winning the Game

Sophie Cunningham’s success isn’t just about basketball—it’s about leveraging the moment. Her support for Clark turned her from a role player into a media powerhouse. And here’s the kicker: Cunningham didn’t need to be the best player on the court to make this impact. What she understood better than anyone was the importance of timing and the business side of basketball.

Her actions—backing Clark when no one else would—have made her a marketing sensation. The immediate benefit to Cunningham has been massive: endorsement deals, sold-out jerseys, and viral social media have catapulted her into the spotlight, overshadowing players who have far better on-court stats but lack the business foresight to capitalize on the moment.

Cunningham has already outpaced many of her WNBA peers in terms of popularity—despite not being the highest scorer or the MVP candidate. This shows the value of positioning and embracing the right opportunities in a league that, unfortunately, often fails to capitalize on its own stars.

The Missed Opportunities: Why Other Players Aren’t Catching On

Why are other WNBA players not following Cunningham’s lead? Why is Caitlin Clark, despite being the most marketable player in the league, not fully supported by her peers? It seems like a no-brainer for the league’s biggest stars to jump on the Clark bandwagon and secure their own future success. Yet, players like Reese and others refuse to play the game. It’s almost as if they are too proud to acknowledge Clark’s influence or are too caught up in their own egos to see the bigger picture.

Cunningham’s rise serves as a warning to the rest of the WNBA: embrace the opportunities in front of you, or risk being left behind. In a sport where media exposure and sponsorships are hard to come by, players who understand timing, branding, and collaboration will come out on top.

Conclusion: Sophie Cunningham’s Legacy and the WNBA’s Missed Chance

Sophie Cunningham has shown the world that success in the WNBA is about more than just talent—it’s about marketing, alliances, and embracing the right opportunities. Her rise from an unknown role player to one of the most marketable faces in the league is a testament to the power of supporting the right people.

The WNBA’s failure to recognize this—to embrace Caitlin Clark, the most recognizable face in the sport—is costing the league dearly. With Cunningham capitalizing on the moment, the rest of the league is left scrambling, too proud or too blind to see the bigger picture.

If the WNBA wants to build on its rising popularity, it must begin to support its stars, embrace its leaders, and stop letting jealousy and ego hold them back. Because as Sophie Cunningham has proven, there’s real power in choosing the right battles—and in picking the right team to back.