Michigan

RandySF

(76,006 posts) Sun Jul 6, 2025, 03:21 AM Jul 6

City claps back as WNBA's Sophie Cunningham takes swipe: 'Detroit is a sports town'

Perhaps Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is just not familiar with Detroit.

When asked about Monday's news that the WNBA plans to expand to 18 teams, with franchises coming to Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia in the next five years, the 28-year-old guard out of Missouri didn't seem thrilled about the locations of a few of the teams.

“You have to listen to your players, too," Cunningham said. "Where do they want to play? Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans?... I don’t know how excited people are going to Detroit or (Cleveland).”

Cunningham suggested cities such as Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City as alternative options that would have been better for the players and fans.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/other/2025/07/01/city-claps-back-as-wnbas-sophie-cunningham-takes-swipe-at-detroit/84436824007/

4 replies

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City claps back as WNBA's Sophie Cunningham takes swipe: 'Detroit is a sports town' (Original Post) RandySF Jul 6 OP

This is - in my opinion - a staged comment. LisaM Jul 6 #1

Detroit starts play in 2029. RandySF Jul 6 #3

I wouldn't bet on that MichMan Jul 6 #4

What is different about the populations of Detroit and Cleveland compared to Miami, Nashville and KC ? MichMan Jul 6 #2

LisaM

(29,286 posts)

1. This is - in my opinion - a staged comment.

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Jul 6, 2025, 07:44 AM

Jul 6

The WNBA has obviously decided that bad blood rivalries are the way to put bodies in the seats. Ever since Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came into the league, you can barely read a story about the WNBA without touching on some feud.

What better way to keep it going than to play on the rancor between the Pacers and Pistons? Or the Pacers and Cavs? Clearly this is being manufactured out of whole cloth.

RandySF

(76,006 posts)

3. Detroit starts play in 2029.

Reply to LisaM (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 6, 2025, 11:55 AM

Jul 6

I think Sophie’s comment will be long forgotten.

MichMan

(15,494 posts)

4. I wouldn't bet on that

Reply to RandySF (Reply #3)

Sun Jul 6, 2025, 01:28 PM

Jul 6

Detroit fans are quite territorial and have long memories

The Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" is a staple here because of just one line; "Born and raised in South Detroit"

Even though there is a) no South Detroit and b) the subject would rather take a midnight train to nowhere rather than live there any longer. No matter; it's about us !

MichMan

(15,494 posts)

2. What is different about the populations of Detroit and Cleveland compared to Miami, Nashville and KC ?

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Jul 6, 2025, 08:54 AM

Jul 6

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