Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham looks to bring focus back to the tremendous on-court product of the WNBA after multiple weeks of debate.
Cunningham’s stance on protecting women’s sports for biological women led to massive debates over including trans athletes in women’s sports over the last few weeks.
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With the fallout of her comments leading to polarisation within the WNBA and even a ban for a team owner who objected to courtside pro-Cunningham protests, the 29-year-old Fever guard wants to move on.
Sophie Cunningham wants peace in discourse and the focus to return to the WNBA
Cunningham appeared for an interview on the USA Network, where she reaffirmed her stance on the matter, but advocated for civil public discourse and for this not to overshadow the on-court action.
“I have a clear and strong perspective on this. With that being said, I know that people are not always going to align and agree. I totally understand that. But I think the most important thing is having that respect, having that love, and pursuing peace in these conversations.”
“I just hate the W, the basketball of it all, is getting overshadowed. I think you’re seeing teams play at the highest level they’ve ever played at… It makes me sad that all this drama is causing the basketball to be overshadowed.”
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Cunningham is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 29 games this season for the Fever, who are 19-11 and in the thick of the Playoff battle.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The Playoffs are about a month away, and Cunningham will hope to play an important rotational role as the Fever eye a championship win.
It seems the entire organisation is putting this controversy behind them, with Caitlin Clark and other team officials also making it clear they’ll be focusing on basketball going forward.
The 2012 WNBA Champions have a legitimate shot at securing another title this season, and will hope to deliver on that with Clark and Kelsey Mitchell leading the squad.
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