This article was written by Mark J. Burns and published on Sport & State, a new media company founded by Clay Travis that is built around sports, culture, original voices, and live conversation.
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Sophie Cunningham isn’t afraid to voice her admiration and love for the United States.
If only some of her fellow WNBA counterparts exhibited that same level of patriotism, which for the Indiana Fever forward means standing for the country’s national anthem and supporting our veterans.
It’s been a consistent point of contention all season long as some, including members of the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, have refused to remain on the court during the playing of the national anthem in the WNBA Finals.
WNBA Finals teams are more than happy to strut down the fashion runway, but when it comes to standing for the national anthem, they head for the exits—ignoring both league rules and their own families’ military roots.
@kayceeunplugged column:
https://t.co/vv8lPy3W8c— Sport & State (@SportNState) October 19, 2026
“Personally, I am grateful, and I support the people who serve,” said Cunningham, one of the league’s biggest stars online, during a recent podcast interview with host and comedian Theo Von.
“We have family members who have served. They’re over there doing things that are unimaginable for us to be out here living our dreams and having the freedoms that we live.”
Cunningham continued, “Anytime that I can shout out our veterans and the people who are currently fighting for us to live in the best country, I’m going to show that support and give them love. … I take a lot of pride where I come from, and I’m proud to be an American citizen.”
Sophie Cunningham is asked about the WNBA players who don’t stand on the floor for the national anthem.
She shares her own pride as an American and gratitude for US military members, but also adds “that’s where I stand, that doesn’t mean that’s where everyone stands.” https://t.co/vET6bDOR3G
— Jackson Thompson (@JackThompsonFOX) October 29, 2026
Here, here.
Imagine those remarks being construed as controversial.
Have ‘a backbone’
As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert winds down her seven-year tenure, which includes a lasting legacy of a lunchtime Finals tip off on Thursday, Cunningham didn’t hold back on what the 30-year-old league needs from its next leader.
She praised NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for having a direct relationship with the league’s players, stating “that’s what we need on the ‘W’ side” in the future.
“We need someone to come in here who has a backbone,” added Cunningham.
“We need someone representing the WNBA who is willing to do the hard, who is embracing the hard.”
The Missouri alumna, who briefly mentioned that the FBI is currently watching about 20 people over stalking concerns involving her, said the next Commissioner needs to have great communication, be open, and simply put, be a recognizable and kind face in the room. That seems like a relatively reasonable ask, don’t you think?
“Say hi, be human, be nice,” said Cunningham, adding that Engelbert “doesn’t talk to any” of the league’s players. “I think that’s all we’re really asking for is a little bit of respect and just be a normal human. We’re all trying to work for the same goal. We all want to make the WNBA the best it can be.”
In the conversation with Von, Cunningham — who referred to the Commissioner seat as “a badass job” — also couldn’t comprehend how Engelbert and her press relations staff totally blew off sports personality Dan Patrick this summer after originally agreeing to a sit-down with the veteran talk show host.
Dan Patrick on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert cancelling her appearance on the show:
“If you want to be treated as a serious league, this is what happens! These are tough questions, but this is a fair outlet for you – a fair platform. I will treat you with respect.” https://t.co/15VOBZIxAd
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) July 10, 2026
“Be proud of that, want to be interviewed, want to promote your product,” Cunningham said. “You’re denying an interview but people want to talk to us finally. Why are we denying it?”
Our fearless leader Clay Travis has an easy solution for the WNBA Commissioner search.
Watch the video below.
Sophie Cunningham for WNBA Commissioner? 👀
@ClayTravis endorses Cunningham for the job after she told A’ja Wilson to “grow up” over her confrontation with an Indiana Fever fan: https://t.co/U8aB6Budef
— Sport & State (@SportNState) October 5, 2026
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