Sophie Cunningham said last week that she would likely not watch any of the WNBA Finals in order to distance herself from the “toxicity” of the league this past season. On Tuesday, the Indiana Fever guard confirmed she hadn’t watched the first two games of the series.

The WNBA has not issued a formal response to Cunningham’s comments, but several league sources have suggested that Engelbert remains confident in her leadership. Supporters of the commissioner point to record-breaking viewership numbers, international partnerships, and improved player compensation as evidence that the league is thriving under her guidance

“You can’t please everyone,” one executive noted. “The commissioner’s job is to move the league forward, not to manage every individual grievance.” Still, Cunningham’s criticism raises legitimate questions about how the WNBA balances business success with maintaining trust among its players.

For Cunningham, the decision to boycott appears deeply personal. “It’s not about hate,” she said. “It’s about holding people accountable. If we want women’s sports to be taken seriously, we have to have integrity from the top down.”

Whether her stance will lead to constructive change or simply fade as another social media controversy remains to be seen. What’s certain is that she has captured public attention in a season otherwise defined by record-breaking performances and inspiring storylines.

In the days since her statement, online reactions have only intensified. Former players, commentators, and fans continue to debate whether Cunningham’s comments reflect a broader player sentiment or an isolated protest. Some believe her words could prompt the league to increase transparency in disciplinary actions and communication with players

Others fear the episode could discourage younger athletes from speaking out. Either way, Cunningham has inserted herself into the center of one of the most consequential conversations in the league’s history.

Cunningham was surprised to learn that the Las Vegas Aces had taken a 2-0 lead over her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, when discussing the Finals during the latest episode of her podcast, “Show Me Something.”

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) plays against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Aug. 7, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

“Hell no. I haven’t watched a lick of the WNBA. I don’t know what’s going on. I talked to my teammates the day that we did exit interviews and all that. I need a cleanse. I’m booking vacations,” she said.

“I really just do need a break from it. Good luck to whoever’s going to win, I honestly don’t care who wins this Finals. And I don’t – I’ll be quiet. I’m stopping myself.”

The timing of Cunningham’s public boycott could not be more striking. The WNBA Finals, featuring the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces, are drawing record viewership and unprecedented media attention. Yet, Cunningham’s absence from the celebration of the league’s success reflects a deeper fracture between certain players and the league office.

While most of the spotlight this season has been on the rise of superstars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, Cunningham’s voice reminds the basketball community that not all players are satisfied with how the league operates. “I love this game, but right now, I can’t sit and cheer for something that doesn’t feel right,” she said.

Cunningham’s criticism appears to stem from what she perceives as unequal treatment of players and inconsistent enforcement of league policies. She has previously expressed frustration over how disciplinary actions and media narratives differ depending on a player’s profile or marketability. Insiders close to Cunningham say that her stance is not about any single event but rather a “pattern” of decisions that have made her feel that the league prioritizes image over fairness. “Some players get protected, others get punished—it’s as simple as that,” she reportedly told teammates earlier this year.

Her remarks also arrive amid ongoing debates about the WNBA’s commercial direction and player relations. Under Commissioner Engelbert, the league has seen rapid growth, increased sponsorships, and expanding media coverage—particularly around young stars and social media icons.

However, some veterans have voiced discomfort with what they perceive as the league’s shift toward “celebrity culture” rather than the competitive and inclusive spirit that defined earlier eras. Cunningham’s decision to speak out adds fuel to that conversation, especially as she positions herself not against the league’s success but against what she calls “a loss of authenticity.”

Last week, Cunningham indicated that she would likely not watch the Finals, citing the “drama-filled” season she and her Fever teammates had to endure.

“I don’t even know if I’m going to watch. I’m over it. I need a break from the toxicity of the WNBA. It’s been a drama-filled season for multiple reasons,” she said. “I’m drained.”

Sophie Cunningham (8) and Caitlin Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever cheer from the bench against the Chicago Sky at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 7, 2025. (Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)

In addition to the number of injuries that plagued the Fever, including Cunningham’s own season-ending injury, the veteran guard was among the several WNBA players to publicly call out the league and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over concerns about officiating and the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.

Cunningham’s boycott has also drawn reactions from fellow players, some of whom have quietly expressed empathy. While few have publicly supported her stance, several anonymous sources within the league told reporters that her frustrations “aren’t isolated.” One player mentioned that Cunningham’s comments resonated because “a lot of us feel like the communication between players and leadership has broken down.” Others, however, worry that such public dissent could damage the league’s unity at a critical moment. “We’ve worked so hard to get here,” said one veteran player. “The last thing we need is division when the world is finally watching.”

The Mercury guard, known for her competitiveness and fiery energy, has never been afraid to speak her mind. Drafted by Phoenix in 2019, Cunningham quickly became a fan favorite for her toughness and unapologetic style of play. Off the court, she’s been equally outspoken, addressing topics like player empowerment and fairness within professional sports.

Her current stance continues that legacy but at a greater cost—potential backlash from league officials, sponsors, or even teammates. “I knew people would come for me,” she admitted. “But sometimes, standing up for what you believe in means standing alone.”

Critics of Cunningham’s boycott argue that refusing to support the Finals undermines the achievements of her peers, particularly the women who have worked tirelessly to elevate the league’s profile. “These players are making history,” said one analyst. “To dismiss their moment because of a disagreement with leadership sends the wrong message.” Yet, Cunningham’s supporters counter that silence in the face of perceived injustice would be worse. They see her protest as a moral stand rather than a personal vendetta. “She’s not boycotting the players,” one fan wrote online. “She’s boycotting the politics.”

This controversy also exposes broader tensions within women’s sports. As leagues like the WNBA grow more commercialized and profitable, athletes are grappling with the balance between progress and principles. Many fans admire Cunningham’s willingness to question authority in a system that often discourages dissent.

Others see it as a distraction from celebrating the sport’s biggest stage. Either way, her comments have forced an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about accountability, fairness, and what kind of league the WNBA wants to be as it enters its next chapter.

“I’m just tired of our league. They need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. I think there are a lot of people in positions of power in the WNBA, who they might be really great businesspeople, but they don’t know s— about basketball. And that’s gotta change,” Cunningham said during her exit interview last week.

“I think it’s pretty shameful that she always makes it about her, Cathy, when it should have nothing to do with her,” she added about Engelbert.

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Aug. 5, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Despite her disappointment with the leadership in the league and officiating this past season, Cunningham spoke highly of her first season in Indiana.

“Our locker room was so close-knit and so fun and just so full of love that, like, I’ve never been a part of a locker room like that, ever, and it was awesome. It was also the season from hell because of the injury bug, but through it all I’m grateful. I think the relationship and the memories this team created is going to be one for a lifetime.”

Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham has sparked controversy across the basketball world after openly declaring that she is boycotting the WNBA Finals, citing frustration with the league’s leadership and what she described as “a culture of favoritism and selective accountability.

Her candid remarks, made during a recent interview, have ignited debate among players, fans, and analysts over the growing tension between some athletes and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Cunningham’s comments—“I haven’t watched a lick, and I can’t support what’s happening right now”—mark one of the most direct player rebukes of league management in recent memory.

In the interview, Cunningham didn’t mince words about her disillusionment. “I’ve always supported women’s basketball with everything I’ve got,” she said. “But when leadership starts playing favorites, when transparency disappears, and when some players’ voices don’t matter anymore, it’s hard to stay silent.

I can’t support what’s happening.” Those words, circulated widely on social media, have polarized fans. Some praise Cunningham for her courage, while others accuse her of undermining the league’s progress during a historic season of growth.

As the WNBA Finals continue, Cunningham’s absence serves as a symbolic reminder that not everyone within the league feels represented or heard. Her decision to step away, even temporarily, underscores the complex intersection of principle, politics, and passion that defines modern sports.

Whether one views her boycott as brave or misguided, it is undeniably powerful. In a moment when the WNBA is reaching unprecedented heights, Sophie Cunningham’s refusal to look away has forced everyone else to take a harder look at the game—and the system—she loves.