Sophie Cunningham discovered herself on the middle of a social media firestorm after lacking Crew USA’s gold medal conflict. Whereas her Indiana Fever teammates captured a significant worldwide title, the guard spent her WNBA break working as a studio analyst at a NASCAR occasion.
When questions concerning the missed recreation lastly pushed her to reply, her unfiltered remarks on her podcast immediately reignited the controversy.
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Sophie Cunningham defends lacking the Olympic remaining for a NASCAR dream
Cunningham’s feedback adopted Crew USA’s dominant run to the gold medal on the Olympic Video games. Whereas Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston helped safe the victory, Cunningham’s option to pursue a broadcasting alternative on the Take pleasure in Illinois 300 as an alternative of tuning in reside grew to become the core speaking level for followers.
She has now lastly hit again in any respect the criticism directed at her whereas talking on the No Hesitation Present.
Could 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) warms up earlier than the sport towards the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Middle. Necessary Credit score: David Gonzales-Imagn Photographs
“I undoubtedly noticed the stats. I knew they received gold. Some man was like, ‘So did you watch the sport?’ And I used to be like, ‘No.’ They usually’re like, ‘Nicely, they received gold.’ And I am like, ‘Duh, they received gold.’ Like, you do not suppose that I am not invested in, to begin with, USA, on any sport, I will be monitoring. After which like, if my coach is there and my two teammates, I am dialed in, however individuals are simply dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb,” Cunningham mentioned.
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Her reply addressed criticism. Cunningham mentioned NASCAR mattered as a result of it gave her an opportunity to work round figures reminiscent of Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon. She has additionally spoken about her connection to racing, together with the Talladega Nights picture, leather-based jacket and boots related to the occasion.
Her feedback made clear that she adopted the outcome and cared about coach Stephanie White and teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. The criticism facilities on selecting a separate skilled task as an alternative of watching the ultimate reside.
Crew USA triumphs in gold medal recreation as Caitlin Clark and Fever stars shine
Cunningham’s response got here after Clark, Boston and White helped Crew USA beat France 97-79 to seize the gold medal.
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Clark completed with 12 factors, three assists and two rebounds in 13 minutes, together with a halftime three-pointer. Boston added frontcourt protection and rebounding because the U.S. recovered from a 45-43 deficit.
The outcome got here after Cunningham had additionally defended Clark throughout a separate MVP debate involving Kelsey Mitchell.
Their gold-medal success sits beside Cunningham’s feedback. Her one-year Indiana contract stays one other Fever storyline, however criticism facilities on working NASCAR throughout the remaining.
