Sophie Cunningham recalls getting a black eye from a $5,000 handbag while protecting Brittney Griner

Sophie Cunningham has revealed a painful but amusing story from her early WNBA career, recalling how an attempt to protect former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner at an airport resulted in her getting a black eye from an expensive designer handbag.

The Indiana Fever guard shared the memorable experience during an appearance on Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast.

While discussing the league's growing popularity and the challenges that come with increased attention, Cunningham reflected on her earlier days playing alongside some of basketball's biggest names.

During her time in Phoenix, Cunningham shared the court with Griner and Diana Taurasi . Both players attracted considerable public attention, but Griner's profile reached another level following her arrest in Russia in February 2022 over a cannabis oil vape cartridge discovered in her luggage.

Griner spent nearly 10 months in Russian custody before being released in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Her return to the United States generated enormous attention, making even routine public appearances difficult.

Cunningham recalled how teammates often found themselves responsible for protecting one another when crowds gathered around the Mercury's biggest stars. Security wasn't always readily available, leaving players to manage uncomfortable situations themselves.

Cunningham's attempt to protect Griner ended with an expensive accident

Describing the airport encounter, Cunningham explained that Griner was surrounded by people, prompting teammates to step in and create space around the center.

“There was this one guy who I guess was kind of our security, I don’t know. He was actually carrying her (Griner) Louis Vuitton bags,” said Cunningham .

“I was the caboose, and he saw what was happening. So he ran to push those people away, but when he did it, he threw the bags, and it came back and cracked me right in the nose.

“I was like I was trying to help, but I just get cracked by like a $5,000 bag right in my schnoz, black eye the next day.”

However, her podcast appearance also revealed a much darker side of becoming increasingly recognizable.

Cunningham disclosed that she believes approximately 20 individuals are being monitored by the FBI because of concerns involving her safety.

“The more you’re visible on TV, you’re going to get more fans,” Cunningham said. “People are going to know who you are, and that’s a really great thing. But there’s also a lot of like kind of crazy people, too. Like, we do have a lot of stalkers. I know I do.

“And that’s a negative side of things that people don’t think about. And so you do want to feel secure.”

One alleged stalker has faced felony charges involving stalking and intimidation in Indiana. Authorities have accused him of sending Cunningham unwanted messages and delivering a package addressed to her at the Fever's arena.