Sophie Cunningham and her family often joke about her severe tunnel seizures.
The Phoenix Mercury guard's fashion choices made headlines during the 2024 WNBA regular season, including a cut-out dress that revealed tan lines around her waist, but her stylist is an unlikely hero.
” [outfits] Something that really became a talking point, my mother [Paula] Cunningham said in an interview with The Post: Quest Nutrition's new Bake Shop line of protein-packed treats.
The 28-year-old Missouri native showed her mother and sister, Lindsay, three outfit options before her loss to Liberty on Aug. 26 at Footprint Center.
Paula opted for a strapless, color-blocked mini dress with a side cut that revealed her bikini tan lines.
The Mercury newspaper published a video of her jumping in at the time and called her a “hot new babe,” a reference to the Netflix reality show “Love Island.”
“[Paula] “I thought it was really cute,” Cunningham said.
“It's really fun. [my family] “With every outfit, my family says, 'What is Sophie going to wear today?' It's like a joke.”
Cunningham said her outfits are “actually pretty funny” because they're not always planned.
“For me, it's really impulsive. If I'm feeling comfortable and sporty, I'll go in that direction. If I'm feeling a little more energetic and wanting to grab attention and be a girly girl, [I go that route]” she said.
Before the win against the Dream on Sept. 3, Cunningham paid tribute to the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by wearing a tunic dress printed with a photo of the player.
She also paid tribute to teammate and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, who is in her 20th season and was meant to play her final home game Thursday when Phoenix beat Seattle to close the regular season.
The Mercury have honoured Taualasi throughout the season with a “What If This Is The Last Time” campaign on social media.
Cunningham, a 6-foot-1 Adidas athlete, is unconcerned about the negative jokes online, including comments that she's showing too much skin.
“Hey, I don't look like this often, and I won't for long, so I might as well use it while I can!” she said, laughing.
“[The women of the league] What we're wearing is starting to stand out a little bit more, people are starting to take notice, and we're getting a lot of attention.”
Cunningham, a six-year WNBA veteran, is taking full advantage of the increased attention on the league as this year's rookie class – highlighted by star newcomers Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink – has helped boost ratings, revenue and attendance.
In 2024, the WNBA will have its most-watched season in its 26 years, with the league $50 million The plan is to provide full-time charter flight services to the team over the next two years.
“I think it's a really positive thing, honestly, it's really good for our league,” Cunningham said of the increased attention. “It's really exciting to be part of the W-League.[NBA].
“I think there's a lot of new perspectives, and with that, there's going to be a lot of people who don't know what they're talking about. They have a lot to say… but I'm not hating. I think this rookie class has really pushed W in the right direction, and I'm very grateful for it, because now I get to work with a brand like Quest. They're really great people, they want me to be successful, and it's opened a lot of doors for me. Any press is good press for W. And I think once people start watching W, they're going to love it. The players have always been there.” [and] The skills were always there.”
Cunningham has 242,000 Instagram Over 130,000 followers TikTokposts fashion photography, basketball-related content, and even fun videos featuring herself and her Mercury teammates.
“I don't take social media too seriously. To me, it's just a fun place,” she says. “It's fun, but it can also be really negative and serious. I choose to live on the other side of that.”
“I hope that when people come to my platform, they smile and feel a positive vibe. I like to be vulnerable and be myself, and that's my style. For me, it's like, 'Yes! Bring a new perspective.'”
“Why don't we move forward? Why don't people step up and appreciate the attention we've been getting? I really think this is the beginning. We're just at the tip of the iceberg and this thing is about to take off. I'm excited to be a part of it.”
On September 14, the Mercury announced that they had extended Cunningham's contract through the 2025 season.
She was selected 13th overall by the Mercurys in the 2019 WNBA Draft after a standout performance at the University of Missouri and has since been a solid 3-point shooter and defender for Phoenix.
The seventh-seeded Phoenix Mercury lost 102-95 to the second-seeded Minnesota Lynx on Sunday in the first game of a best-of-three series in the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs.
Cunningham finished with eight points and four rebounds.
“The top team is [of the standings]They've been together for a couple of years. They have chemistry and a rhythm. [and] They know how each other moves,” Cunningham said.
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“We have a lot of new members. Me, Diana, BG [Brittney Griner] We have all the guys that are still around from last year. We have a lot of new guys. I think we've only played 33 games together. Overall, that's not a lot.
“I think the biggest thing is that we really care about each other and love each other off the court. We've shown signs this season that when we're in really good form, no one can beat us.”
Cunningham appeared in 36 regular season games (17 starts) this season, averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
She shot More than 40.0 percent from deep sea He has made 21 3-pointers this season, second-most in the league, and Cunningham ranks fourth in franchise history in 3-pointers made (245) and recently moved into ninth place in points (1,368).
Game 2 will be Wednesday night in Minnesota at 9:30 pm ET on ESPN.
