Kat Timpf and Kennedy Discuss Sophie Cunningham and ‘the Girls’ Podcast Episode

WNBA player Sophie Cunningham is currently facing significant backlash after defending the integrity of women’s sports. This situation has prompted a columnist to call for the Indiana Fever to release her. Fox News contributor Kat Timpf and podcast host Kennedy talked about this controversy with Ainsley Earhardt, referencing a poll indicating that around 80% of the public supports Cunningham’s stance. They also highlighted an upcoming episode of ‘the Girls’ podcast.

Cunningham had a rather straightforward reply after a column in The Athletic, which is part of the New York Times, suggested the Fever should part ways with her: “Suck it.”

In a recent episode of “No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham & Drew Hanlen,” she addressed the backlash and pushed back against the notion that her contributions on the court aren’t valuable. She emphasized that she is no longer influenced by external opinions about her life and career. “I literally don’t even care what anyone says about me anymore,” she remarked, adding that if you rely too much on praise, you might crumble under criticism.

This discussion arose following an October 6 article that claimed the attention surrounding Cunningham’s outspoken views was distracting from the Fever’s basketball priorities and labeled her as “too combustible.” With her contract nearing unrestricted free agency after two seasons in Indiana, the stakes are high.

Cunningham’s firm opposition to allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports has sparked protests both for and against her position at Fever games. However, she previously noted that she doesn’t believe these demonstrations will distract her or the team.

Hanlen, her podcast co-host, criticized the column as a blatant hate piece, prioritizing the basketball arguments in his response.

Cunningham has publicly discussed her desire to protect women’s competitive spaces from biological males. Hanlen defended her basketball credentials, arguing that many teams would be eager to have a top performer like her on their roster, given her ranking as a leading bench scorer and three-point shooter in the league.

He pointed out her impressive effective field goal percentage, countering any suggestion that her performance numbers were unappealing to other teams. “I understand if you just don’t like somebody and you try to write a hate piece, but don’t try to put down the basketball stuff,” he said.

Throughout the regular season, Cunningham averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, with notable shooting percentages. Despite the column’s recognition of her value beyond standard statistics, Cunningham stands by her assertion that her impact on the court transcends numbers.

“No matter what anyone says to me, I’m going to continue to do me. I know what I bring to the table. It’s not always in the stat sheet,” she asserted, closing with another emphatic “Suck it.”