Sophie Cunningham, known for her outspoken opinions, has once again ignited controversy with her commentary on WNBA cities. This time, the Fever star directed her blunt critique toward Las Vegas during a recent episode of her podcast, bringing the issue of city appeal into focus once more. Her candid remarks spotlight ongoing debates about city environments and fan support in the WNBA.
Examining Cunningham’s Controversial Take on Las Vegas
On the podcast Show Me Something, Cunningham and co-host West Wilson discussed Las Vegas, a city often praised for its successful WNBA franchise. However, Cunningham expressed a strong personal dislike for the city’s atmosphere. She stated,
“I don’t like Vegas. When people are like, ‘Oh, Vegas!’ I am like, ‘Ah, (expletive).’”
She further described the city’s environment as unpleasant, adding,
“Every time that I am there, there’s just that smell Vegas has and I have to wash everything. It’s just like that smell.”
Wilson explained that cigarette smoke, still permitted in many parts of Las Vegas, is likely the cause of the distinctive odor Cunningham mentioned. Acknowledging this, Cunningham responded with,
“I know. Yuck.”
She also commented on the divide between the popular tourist Strip and the outlying neighborhoods, saying,
“Everyone who lives in Vegas and who lives off the Strip and in the suburbs, everyone says it’s awesome. I just have never experienced that. So I am like, ‘Ehhh.’”
Context of Previous Criticism Toward WNBA City Choices
This is not Cunningham’s first time voicing strong opinions about WNBA city selections. Earlier this year, she criticized the league’s decision to expand into Cleveland and Detroit, cities she felt lacked appeal compared to others like Miami. Her blunt statement,
“Man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or (Cleveland).”
drew significant backlash. Though Cunningham later clarified that her comments were taken out of context, the remarks demonstrated her willingness to challenge the league’s geographic decisions.
Ongoing Impact of Cunningham’s City Critiques on WNBA Discussions
Sophie Cunningham’s willingness to openly criticize cities connected to the WNBA continues to spark conversations among fans and players about the attractiveness and viability of various markets. While some cities remain fan favorites, her remarks about Detroit, Cleveland, and now Las Vegas highlight tensions about the league’s growth and fan engagement. The debate raises questions about how city environments influence player experiences and fan enthusiasm.
As Cunningham’s perspectives reach wide audiences through her podcast and media appearances, they contribute to ongoing discussions about team locations and the WNBA’s strategy moving forward. With her outspoken nature, further commentary from Cunningham is likely to maintain its impact on league conversations in the coming seasons.