The Los Angeles Sparks’ social media account took a swipe at the Indiana Fever and guard Sophie Cunningham after their 89-87 victory on Saturday. The post mocked Cunningham’s recent comments about WNBA expansion, which questioned the enthusiasm of fans in potential new markets like Cleveland and Detroit. The Sparks’ social media post listed Detroit, Cleveland, and Los Angeles as cities with ‘beef,’ likely in reference to Cunningham’s critique of the expansion plans.
The WNBA announced that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia would receive franchises in the coming years, adding to the existing teams in Toronto and Portland. Cunningham had expressed uncertainty about fan support for the new cities, saying, ‘I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cleveland.’ This remark sparked backlash, prompting her to clarify her comments while addressing the broader implications of her statements.
Cunningham clarified that her intention was not to speak down on the working-class residents of Cleveland and Detroit, emphasizing her appreciation for the history of the WNBA in those cities. She noted, ‘First of all, I know the history of the WNBA. I know that both of those cities have had teams before, and they got us where we’re at, so I’m thankful for that.’ She also addressed the misunderstanding, stating, ‘All I was really getting at was Broadway, the off-court lifestyle and so I think that is really intriguing. I think Miami’s intriguing. That’s all I was getting at.’ This clarification aimed to distance her from the backlash and reframe her comments as a reflection of personal interests rather than a slight on the cities.
Cunningham also acknowledged the mixed public reaction to her comments, noting, ‘The people that hype you up are going to be the same people pushing you down. And so, for me, I always just kind of stay right here in the middle. I think that was my personal opinion.’ Her response highlighted her awareness of the public’s scrutiny and her commitment to maintaining a balanced perspective.