The WNBA is in turmoil tonight after star forward Sophie Cunningham dropped a bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the world of women’s basketball.

Sophie Cunningham Makes Career Move After One Season with Indiana Fever - Athlon Sports

In a jaw-dropping declaration, Sophie announced:

“I am Sophie Cunningham — and I refuse to return to the WNBA because Brittney Griner is not worthy of being my opponent.”

The fiery statement, which spread like wildfire across social media, came during what was supposed to be a routine off-season interview. But instead of discussing her training or future plans, Sophie launched into a scathing criticism of what she called the league’s “woke obsession” with inclusion and identity politics.

Her comments — directly targeting Brittney Griner, one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in women’s basketball — have divided fans, players, and analysts alike.

“Sophie didn’t just walk away from the game,” one insider told The Daily Mail, “she threw a match on the court as she left.”

Within hours, hashtags like #StandWithSophie and #CancelCunningham began trending simultaneously, turning what started as a personal statement into a national debate about gender, fairness, and the evolving identity of women’s sports.

Critics are calling her words “toxic” and “deeply disrespectful”, accusing her of undermining years of progress for women athletes. Others, however, claim Sophie is simply saying what many players feel but are too afraid to admit — that the league’s politics are overshadowing the sport itself.

Meanwhile, Griner’s camp has remained publicly silent, but sources close to the Phoenix Mercury star say she is “deeply hurt and disappointed” by Sophie’s remarks.

League officials have yet to issue an official response, but one WNBA executive hinted that disciplinary action “isn’t off the table.”

This latest controversy is more than a feud between two athletes — it’s a flashpoint moment for women’s basketball, raising uncomfortable questions about identity, inclusion, and where the line between personal belief and professional responsibility should be drawn.