More eyes are now focused on the Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her outspoken comments and views on sports culture, with some in the sports media harshly criticizing. As her future in the league remains uncertain, ESPN veteran Sage Steele decided to boldly speak out about what she believes is a different standard in the media.
Addressing the fierce criticism against him with honesty and grit, Steele took to social media and his online show.
Question: Would sports/ WNBA media be attacking Sophie Cunningham if she was black? No more double standard,” Steele wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Breaking Down the Dispute
Cunningham has been squarely in the crossfire of a media frenzy over uncomfortable cultural issues in women’s sports-most prominently, transgender athletes.
Supporters and public figures such as Enes Kanter Freedom have stood behind the guard, but media coverage-critical columns from The Athletic, which argued the Fever should cut ties with her in order to remain relevant as a franchise-have added fuel to the fire.
To further illustrate her point on her program, Steele challenged whether a Black athlete in the same situation would have received the same level of critical feedback. She pointed to some sports reporters calling Cunningham “distraction,” suggesting a different story applies if the athlete is from a different demographic.
“It sickens me,” said Steele. “Sophie Cunningham has no place in the story.”
What’s Next for Sophie Cunningham?
The veteran guard’s polarizing comments off the court hasn’t stopped her on-the-court production and free agency from being the focus. Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox was asked about the situation Thursday and indicated Cunningham’s off-court comments will not be the determining factor in the franchise’s personnel decisions. Cunningham can come back if the franchise chooses.
