Sophie Cunningham | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #692

The WNBA's Evolving Landscape [00:00:00]

• Sophie Cunningham, a key player for the Indiana Fever, reflects on her career and the significant changes in the WNBA.
• She notes the league's transition from a time when fans had to use obscure apps to watch games to its current widespread visibility.

• "Dude, night and day. You can’t even compare the two."

Early WNBA Struggles [00:01:00]

• Cunningham recalls her early years in the league, where players lacked basic security and faced challenges with travel and fan interaction.
• She mentions seeing stars like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner at airports without security.

• "You know, like, we weren’t on TV like how were people gonna know who we were?"

The Impact of New Talent [00:02:00]

• The arrival of players like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Angel Reese has brought a new level of energy and attention to the WNBA.
• These players, with established college platforms, have successfully transitioned their popularity to the professional league.

• "And now it’s just exploded like and people love us."

Personal Security Concerns [00:04:00]

• Cunningham reveals the darker side of increased visibility: a significant number of stalkers, with the FBI reportedly watching over 20 individuals for her alone.
• She shares a harrowing experience at the airport where a security guard, while protecting Brittney Griner, accidentally hit Cunningham in the nose with a Louis Vuitton bag.

• "And so, something happened at the airport and we literally had zero security, and we got, like, swarmed."

On-Court Antics and Rivalries [00:07:00]

• Cunningham discusses the infamous incident of fans throwing dildos on the court, recalling being hit by one herself.
• She notes that while rivalries and tension exist, they stem from genuine competition, not manufactured drama.

• "I was probably the first person to get hit by a dildo while playing in a WNBA game."

Family Athleticism [00:10:00]

• Cunningham comes from a highly athletic family, with multiple relatives playing sports at the University of Missouri.
• Her family's athletic background, with men in football and women in basketball and track and field, influenced her own path.

• "Our whole, like, family played sports. Actually, the University of Missouri."

Childhood Sports Passion [00:13:00]

• Cunningham realized her natural talent for sports at a very young age, knowing by four or five years old that she would become a professional athlete.
• She excelled in multiple sports, including basketball, volleyball, and soccer, but basketball became her primary passion.

• "I knew from like a young age, like I was going to be a pro athlete one way or another."

The WNBA's Financial Growth [00:17:00]

• The WNBA's financial landscape has improved dramatically, with rookie salaries now significantly higher than in the past.
• Cunningham contrasts her rookie earnings of around $28,000 after taxes with current rookie minimums of over $1.3 million.

• "My rookie year, after taxes and everything, I think I made like $28,000."

Off-Season Work and New Leagues [00:19:00]

• Historically, players sought lucrative contracts overseas during the off-season, but new CBA agreements and marketing deals are making it more viable to stay in the U.S.
• Cunningham is participating in Project B, a new off-season league with games in China, Singapore, Spain, Germany, and Poland.

• "So like, people would go to China, Russia, Turkey, Spain. Like they would make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars over there."

Media Portrayal of the WNBA [00:22:00]

• Cunningham criticizes the WNBA media for often focusing on drama and clickbait rather than the elite level of play.
• She and co-host Drew Hanlon started the "No Hesi" podcast to focus on "real basketball journalism."

• "The majority, they just want the clickbait. Like they just want, um, the drama because that’s where the intention pulls."

Player Relationships and Rivalries [00:25:00]

• Cunningham believes that 90% of WNBA drama reported by the media is fabricated.
• She argues that natural rivalries between competitors are healthy and a part of sports, contrasting it with the NBA's perceived camaraderie.

• "I’m telling you 90% of WNBA drama is made up shit."

On-Court Behavior and Refereeing [00:28:00]

• Cunningham expresses frustration with WNBA referees, suggesting they are not properly licensed and that calls are inconsistent.
• She recounts an incident where she intentionally fouled an opponent to get a brief rest, feeling the game had become too petty.

• "Our refs are horrible. And so are they real refs? Like are they licensed or whatever?"

Faith and Personal Values [00:33:00]

• Cunningham discusses her journey of faith, moving from Catholicism to a non-denominational Christian belief.
• She emphasizes the importance of her faith in navigating the pressures of professional sports and maintaining stability.

• "Like, I just, I love Jesus and I’ve actually listened to you a little bit that you’re starting to kind of maybe get into it or intrigued by it a little bit."

Pregnancy and Maternity Leave in the WNBA [00:41:00]

• The WNBA has made significant progress in supporting players during pregnancy, with current CBA agreements guaranteeing 100% of base salary during maternity leave.
• Historically, players faced difficult choices and potential contract issues related to pregnancy.

• "WNBA players now receive a hundred percent of their base salary while on maternity leave."

Dating and Relationships [00:45:00]

• Cunningham notes that while some athletes date within the sports industry, she personally doesn't focus on others' dating lives.
• She finds male athletes "scary" due to their wealth and accessibility, suggesting it can be dangerous if one isn't mature enough to handle it.

• "Male athletes are scary. Like they just, they have so much money."

Off-Court Life and Future Plans [00:48:00]

• Cunningham is not returning to school but plans to travel internationally for Project B during the off-season.
• She enjoys the flexibility of Project B, which involves short playing stints followed by extended time off.

• "So like, it’s like you play 10 days and then you’re off the rest of the month."