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Sophie Cunningham has sparked backlash after expressing doubts about the WNBA's decision to expand to Detroit and Cleveland. The Indiana Fever guard shared her thoughts following the league's announcement that new teams would be added in Detroit and Cleveland in 2028 and 2029, with Philadelphia joining in 2030. Cunningham, 28, didn't hold back when speaking to reporters on July 1.
She questioned whether the selected cities were truly exciting destinations for players and fans, saying, "You want to listen to your players, too. Like where do they want to play? Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans?... I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cleveland."
Her remarks were not well received, especially by supporters and public figures connected to the two cities. Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell responded on X by posting "Cleveland in the summertime" with sun emojis. His teammate Tristan Thompson defended the city further, writing that Cleveland is a fantastic sports town with great people, excellent restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities. He added that it still surprises him when people make comments like Cunningham's.
Detroit also responded strongly. The city's official X account reminded fans of the Detroit Shock's legacy, noting that the former WNBA team ranked in the top five for attendance over five consecutive seasons, held the top spot for three years, and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 during the 2003 WNBA Finals.
Cunningham later clarified her stance, expressing concern that the WNBA might be expanding too quickly. She also offered her own ideas for future team locations, naming cities she believes have greater potential to support franchises. "Miami would have been a great one, everybody loves sports," she said. "Nashville is an amazing city. Kansas City is an amazing opportunity, there's a huge arena downtown no one is using."
Though Cunningham is entitled to her opinion, her comments have stirred debate about how expansion cities are chosen and whether they reflect both fan interest and player preferences. The strong reactions from Cleveland and Detroit underscore the pride and passion these communities still hold for professional women's basketball.
