Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham Weighs in on WNBA Expansion

During a recent media event, Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham shared her thoughts regarding the WNBA’s decision to expand into three new cities: Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit. Her comments came after the announcement on Monday about the new franchises.

Cunningham, who was previously traded from the Mercury, suggested that other cities might be equally deserving of a WNBA team. “You know, it would be nice to consider the players’ opinions,” she mentioned. “Where would they want to play? Maybe Miami could be a fantastic spot. Everyone loves Florida.”

She continued, “Honestly, I’m not sure how thrilled people are about heading to Detroit or Cleveland.” Cunningham also highlighted alternative cities, saying, “Nashville is fabulous, and Kansas City has huge potential with its underutilized arena downtown.”

However, she expressed concern about the pace of expansion. “I think we have to be careful not to rush into this,” Cunningham remarked, reflecting on the complexities of such decisions. “It’s not a straightforward process.” The league is expanding to Cleveland in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029, and then Philadelphia in 2030, aiming to bring the total number of teams to 18.

Previously, the league announced expansions in Portland and Toronto for 2026. The Detroit Shock, a former franchise, won three championships between 1999 and 2008, marking its significant impact on women’s basketball.

Cunningham is known for her candid remarks, which have sometimes stirred up controversy. In response to her comments, Detroit officials reminded her of the city’s proud basketball history, emphasizing the excitement surrounding women’s basketball there. “When the Shock were active, we had numerous consecutive wins and record attendance,” they noted, referencing the team’s impressive legacy.

The response also highlighted Detroit’s vibrant sports culture, bringing attention to the recent excitement around events like the NFL Draft. “Over 775,000 people came out for it. It’s a sports city, and I believe the same energy will return with the WNBA,” they said.

Despite the enthusiasm for expansion, there have been some critiques regarding the speed of growth. Some players advocate for more roster spots before introducing additional teams. WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert recently stated that the demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, expressing confidence that these new teams will positively change the sporting landscape.