Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, right, works the floor against Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cleveland, Detroit respond to Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA expansion comments
CLEVELAND (AP) — The folks in Cleveland and Detroit are pushing back on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham with some civic pride after Cunningham questioned the league’s choice of expansion to those markets.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, right, works the floor against Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
CLEVELAND (AP) — The folks in Cleveland and Detroit are pushing back on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham with some civic pride after Cunningham questioned the league’s choice of expansion to those markets.
The social media accounts for each city posted responses to Cunningham, who said Tuesday she wasn’t sure “how excited people are to be going to Detroit or (Cleveland).â€
The X account for Cleveland of Fever star Caitlin Clark talking about having a good time in Cleveland during the 2024 Final Four in college, noting: “Sophie, your teammate doesn’t seem to think Cleveland is too bad!â€
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As for Detroit, the city about the former Shock franchise’s strong attendance record and noted: “Detroit is a sports town.â€
The WNBA on Monday by 2030. The league already had plans to add franchises in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and Portland next season. The will play in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030), giving the league 18 teams.
Cunningham, a seven-year veteran who spent her first six years in Phoenix, expressed skepticism over the latest choices, two of which — Cleveland and Detroit — have already seen WNBA franchises come and go.
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