The social media accounts for the cities of Cleveland and Detroit have pushed again at Sophie Cunningham after the Indiana Fever guard questioned the WNBA’s plan to expand into these markets.
Cunningham stated Tuesday that she did not “know the way excited individuals are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland],” and recognized Miami, Nashville and Kansas Metropolis as higher alternate options for WNBA growth cities.
The town of Cleveland’s official X account responded Tuesday by posting a video of Cunningham’s Fever teammate Caitlin Clark, who stated final 12 months that Cleveland was “superior” in the course of the 2024 Ultimate 4.
The town of Cleveland additionally known as out Cunningham within the publish, saying “your teammate does not appear to suppose Cleveland is simply too unhealthy,” whereas including that town is “proud to have been chosen to host a WNBA staff and any participant who comes right here will really feel that legendary ardour Cleveland sports activities followers present our groups!”
Sophie, your teammate does not appear to suppose Cleveland is simply too unhealthy!
We’re proud to have been chosen to host a WNBA staff and any participant who comes right here will really feel that legendary ardour Cleveland sports activities followers present our groups! https://t.co/FVQ2NjkmdO pic.twitter.com/dVTCud6w7x
— Metropolis of Cleveland (@CityofCleveland) July 1, 2025
The town of Detroit additionally issued a response on X, citing the attendance success of its earlier WNBA staff — the Shock — and saying that “Detroit is a sports activities city. We’re certain we’ll see the identical pleasure for the WNBA returning.”
The WNBA introduced Monday that growth franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) all can be becoming a member of the league over the following 5 years. All three groups introduced have NBA possession teams; the Detroit and Cleveland groups will play on the NBA arenas that at the moment exist, whereas Philadelphia is planning on a brand new constructing that shall be accomplished hopefully by 2030.
Cunningham raised her considerations with the growth plan throughout Tuesday’s shootaround earlier than the Fever’s 74-59 victory over the Minnesota Lynx within the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup closing.
“You need to take heed to your gamers, too,” she stated. “The place do they need to play? The place are they going to get excited to play and draw followers? I do suppose that Miami would have been an awesome [location]. Nashville is a tremendous metropolis. Kansas Metropolis, wonderful alternative.
“I am not so certain what the thought course of is there, however on the finish of the day, you need to just remember to’re not increasing our league too quick. I believe that that is additionally one other factor. It is form of a tough decision-making state of affairs. However man, I do not know the way excited individuals are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”
Cunningham, a seven-year veteran who spent her first six years in Phoenix, didn’t converse to reporters after the sport.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated Monday that a variety of cities bid for growth groups, together with Miami, Nashville, Kansas Metropolis, Houston, St. Louis, Charlotte, Denver and Austin, Texas.
The Related Press contributed to this report.