Anthem drama: Sophie Cunningham takes a jab at WNBA Finals teams for leaving the court

S ophie Cunningham has weighed into the growing controversy surrounding the national anthem at the WNBA Finals, making it clear that she prefers to remain on the court and show her appreciation for those serving in the United States military.

The Indiana Fever guard discussed the issue during an appearance on comedian Theo Von 's podcast, This Past Weekend, as criticism continued over the pregame routines of the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries .

Both teams have repeatedly left the playing area shortly before "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the championship series, returning once the performance has finished.

Their decision attracted renewed attention during the Finals, with some fans questioning why the players were not present for the national anthem.

When Von asked Cunningham about the situation, she immediately made it clear that her personal views were well established: "You know who you're talking to?"

Cunningham did not directly identify either Finals team or launch an explicit personal attack against individual players.

Instead, she pointed out that the practice had been happening throughout the season and suggested the issue had attracted significantly more attention now that the championship series was underway.

Her own approach, however, is rooted in her family's connection to the military. Cunningham explained that relatives have served and that she feels a responsibility to recognise the sacrifices made by veterans and active-duty personnel.

She said she wants to use opportunities such as the national anthem to show appreciation for those who serve, particularly because their work helps protect the freedoms that allow professional athletes to pursue their careers.

The 30-year-old also acknowledged that people will not necessarily share her perspective, but made no attempt to hide her own sense of national pride: "I take a lot of pride in where I come from and I'm proud to be an American citizen."

WNBA anthem controversy draws political attention

The disagreement has extended well beyond basketball supporters, becoming a talking point in American politics.

Vice President JD Vance criticised the teams' decision, arguing that players should not use the national anthem as an opportunity to express dissatisfaction with political issues.

The debate has also reopened questions about why teams leave the court in the first place. According to the Associated Press, the practice has been common among WNBA franchises for at least six seasons.

Some teams have used the time away from the floor to highlight social justice concerns, while others have treated it as part of their regular pregame preparations.

Golden State has followed the routine since entering the league, while Atlanta has also been doing so for several years. The Valkyries' head coach, Natalie Nakase , has previously described leaving the court as part of the team's established pregame schedule.

Neither team's repeated absence during the Finals should automatically be interpreted as a newly announced political protest.

Cunningham's comments came amid another difficult subject she discussed with Von: the security concerns surrounding her growing public profile.

The Fever guard revealed that she has received threats and experienced stalking, claiming that the FBI is monitoring approximately 20 individuals in connection with concerns about her safety.

One case has already resulted in criminal charges. A 49-year-old Indiana man, Kevin Singh , was arrested in June and accused of stalking and intimidating Cunningham, alongside a separate misdemeanor harassment charge.

According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, the allegations included repeated messages on social media and a package delivered to the Fever's arena. Singh is facing the charges, which have not been established as convictions.

The situation highlights the more troubling side of the attention that comes with being a prominent professional athlete.

Cunningham has enjoyed an increasingly visible role in the WNBA, but her comments suggest that the attention has also brought personal concerns away from the court.

There is also an important career decision approaching. Cunningham is a pending free agent heading into the offseason, meaning her future with Indiana remains uncertain.

Her next destination could become one of the talking points of the WNBA's offseason, but her appearance on Von's podcast has already ensured that her position in the national anthem debate is firmly on record.

While she stopped short of directly naming the Dream or Valkyries, Cunningham made clear that honouring military personnel and expressing pride in her country remain important parts of her personal values.