Sophie Cunningham doubles down ahead of Sun game after ESPN profile stirs controversy: 'I said what I said'

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Before Wednesday's crippled against nan Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever defender Sophie Cunningham doubled down connected her telephone to protect women's sports from biologic antheral competitors, brushing speech caller backlash complete her comments.

"I deliberation I said what I said. I deliberation it's benignant of communal sense," Cunningham told reporters erstwhile asked to grow connected her views.

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"I'll ever judge successful that. It's really important to protect children, and that's small girls who are besides progressive successful that category."

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For Cunningham, defending women's sports isn't astir politics. It's astir protecting female athletes.

"I'm not a very governmental person, but I do person beliefs. I person morals, and I'll ever guidelines connected those," she explained.

Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark grin during a crippled astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indiana Fever superstars Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark are arguably nan 2 astir celebrated players successful nan WNBA. (NBAE via Getty Images)

She pointed to Title IX arsenic nan foundation of women's sports, arguing nan rule exists to protect opportunities for female athletes. Without those protections, she said, nan class loses its purpose.

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Cunningham besides rejected nan thought that her position stems from bigotry, saying defending women's sports doesn't mean harboring hatred toward anyone else.

Sophie Cunningham jokes pinch Max Holloway astatine T-Mobile Arena.

Indiana Fever defender Sophie Cunningham jokes pinch Max Holloway pursuing UFC 329 astatine T-Mobile Arena successful Las Vegas, Nev., connected July 11, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

"I widen love, and I don't dislike anyone. I deliberation location is room for perfectly everyone here," she said, adding that she has ne'er expressed hatred toward nan trans community.

Her focus, she said, remains connected protecting biologic women and girls.

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OutKick laminitis Clay Travis shared nan clip connected X.

"Love each of this. Well done @sophaller," Travis wrote successful part.

He later tagged writer J.K. Rowling, writing, "Hey @jk_rowling, want to make judge you spot this. Sanity is winning successful America."

As for nan backlash, Cunningham said she tunes it out.

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"I really don't care," she said regarding nan governmental labels attached to her views. "If I'm gonna unrecorded by nan love, I'll dice by nan hate, and that's conscionable not who I am. I hit to my ain drum."

Sophie Cunningham

Jun 16, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever defender Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates a made changeable successful nan first half against nan Toronto Tempo astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Send america your thoughts: [email protected] / Follow on connected X: @alejandroaveela

Alejandro Avila is simply a longtime writer astatine OutKick, surviving successful Southern California. 

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