Sophie Cunningham isn’t hiding: Here’s how she responds to the WNBA’s controversial “sex symbol” label
The Indiana Fever player has turned her pregame looks into part of her image and now explained what’s behind that side of her personality.
There’s something that has become almost as anticipated as watching Sophie Cunningham on the court: finding out what she’ll wear before the next game. The Indiana Fever player often goes for combinations that don’t go unnoticed, from mini shorts and tops to heels and accessories that make her arrival at the arena another moment worth watching.
That fashion choice has become a recognizable part of her presence off the court. But while her outfits may seem spontaneous, Cunningham has a very specific reason for putting so much thought into what she wears before competing , and she explained it herself when she was asked a pretty direct question.
The question that put “sex symbol” on the table
The topic came up during an interview with Colin Cowherd , who asked Cunningham directly whether it was fair to consider her the “sex symbol” of the WNBA .
The question could have taken the conversation in any direction, but Sophie chose to explain what the attention she receives for her appearance and the way she dresses means to her.
Her answer began with something more personal than might have been expected: she has always been very feminine .
Cunningham explained that she has loved dresses, heels and getting dressed up since she was a little girl. To her, that part of her personality doesn’t disappear when she steps onto a basketball court .
Sophie Cunningham doesn’t think she has to choose between being feminine and competing
That’s where one of the most interesting ideas in her response comes in. Sophie doesn’t believe there is only one right way to be an athlete.
She can dress in a very feminine way and then step onto the court and compete with intensity. She could also choose a more masculine style and still be exactly the same player .
That combination is precisely what she wants to show: one thing doesn’t cancel out the other.
That perspective also helps explain why her looks don’t seem like a separate character from the athlete who appears on the court moments later. For Cunningham, both sides are simply part of who she is .
But there was another reason she has embraced the attention.
There’s also a business side to Sophie Cunningham’s image
The player acknowledged that there are now plenty of eyes on everything they do, and that’s where her entrepreneurial side comes in.
If people are paying attention to what she wears, Cunningham understands that attention can also become an opportunity . It’s not just about choosing an outfit she likes, but recognizing the value an image can have when there is an audience interested in seeing it.
That approach has already taken a concrete form beyond her pregame appearances.
This summer, the Adidas Crazy Energy “Sophie Cunningham” PE went on sale , an exclusive player edition based on an existing basketball silhouette from the brand. In this case, “PE” stands for Player Exclusive, meaning it is a personalized version made for her rather than an entirely new signature line .
So what starts with a look before walking into the arena can end up taking on a much bigger dimension.
Her look doesn’t change what Sophie Cunningham brings on the court
All of this is happening as Cunningham goes through an important season with Indiana. In 2026, she is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, along with 22.7 minutes per game across 39 appearances .
The WNBA is currently on a break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup , but the wait is almost over. The regular season will resume on September 17, while the Indiana Fever will return to the court on September 18 against Toronto Tempo .
And when Sophie Cunningham shows up before a game again, there will probably be two things drawing attention: what she does on the court and, once again, what she decided to wear to get there.
