Cunningham Rejects Criticism as Fever Free Agency Nears

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly dismissed criticism after an opinion column argued the team should move on from her in free agency, saying on her podcast that she would continue being herself and ending her response with a blunt rebuke to critics. Cunningham addressed the criticism on the No Hesitation podcast with co-host Drew Hanlen. She said she no longer cared what people said about her and that she would not let praise or criticism determine how she acted. She also said some critics had never played basketball and were seeking attention or relevance. Her remarks culminated in the phrase “suck it.” The debate followed a column by Candace Buckner arguing that Indiana should part ways with Cunningham when she becomes a free agent. Buckner described Cunningham as too combustible to pair with Caitlin Clark and argued that the team’s attention had shifted from basketball to Cunningham’s outspoken views. That assessment was Buckner’s opinion, not a decision announced by the Fever. Cunningham’s comments came after the Fever’s season ended in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.