Normal view

Before yesterdayMain stream

Sophie Cunningham rocks laid-back sporty outfit for Fever-Valkyries game

Sophie Cunningham often grabs headlines for her pregame outfits. Whether she wears dresses or rocks simpler looks, her fashion draws a lot of attention online. The Indiana Fever guard’s attire on Wednesday ahead of the WNBA regular-season game against the Golden State Valkyries received a lot of praise.

She wore a laid-back, sporty outfit consisting of a fitted, short-sleeved cropped T-shirt in brown shade. Cunningham paired it with relaxed, wide-leg, mid-wash blue denim jeans and cream-colored closed-toe sneakers.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham shares reaction to serving as UFC 329 guest ring girl

The Fever posted her photo on Instagram and fans reacted to it in the comments section.

“Super abs!” a fan said.

“Sophie looking great,” one comment read.

“Sophie 🔥,” a user wrote.

“All very unique and cute ☺️ but the 4th one is the cutest 🤗,” posted another.

“Ayeeeee Sophieeeeee I see youuuu gurllll!!” one fan commented.

“Sophie 😎,” a reaction read.

Apr 30, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) stretches before the game against the Dallas Wings at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Sophie Cunningham vs. the Valkyries

Cunningham came off the bench and played 27 minutes on Wednesday. She produced 10 points, including two 3-pointers, along with two rebounds. Her production backed Kelsey Mitchell’s game-high 20 points, and Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark’s 15 and 13, respectively. However, Indiana failed to extend their winning streak to three games, losing 88-75. Six Golden State players scored in double figures, led by Gabby Williams’ 16 and Kaitlyn Chen’s 14.

The Fever will return to action on Friday for the first night of a back-to-back set. Clark could sit either game, giving Cunningham the opportunity to potentially start in her place and make a bigger impact.

Sophie Cunningham Viral Pointing Meme Explained

Sophie Cunningham Breaks Down Viral Pointing Meme: 'I'm a Little Hungry, a Little Sassy'
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The meme that took over the internet almost didn't happen. Weeks after her now-famous stare-down with Phoenix Mercury veteran DeWanna Bonner became the defining image of the WNBA season, Sophie Cunningham finally explained exactly what was going through her mind.

And as it turns out, it wasn't some carefully planned act of gamesmanship. "Honestly, I just am a little sassy sometimes," Cunningham joked during an appearance on James Corden's Fox Sports World Cup show. "I've mastered getting in people's heads. It's kind of like a game within the game."

That "game within the game" produced one of the most recognizable sports memes of 2026.

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

Cunningham's now-iconic point came during Indiana's heated showdown with the Phoenix Mercury, a game that was already boiling over after teammate Caitlin Clark and Bonner exchanged words late in the fourth quarter. Clark was hit with a technical foul, but Cunningham believed Bonner deserved one as well.

She initially pointed to Bonner to make her case to the officials. Then Bonner fired back.

According to Cunningham, Bonner told her not to point at her. Cunningham's response was simple: she kept pointing. And pointing. And pointing.

For roughly 22 seconds, Cunningham never broke eye contact, holding the pose until a Fever staff member finally nudged her toward the bench. Both players were assessed technical fouls, but by then the damage—or, depending on your perspective, the comedy—was done.

Since that night, the image has taken on a life of its own. WWE legend John Cena has referenced it. Major brands have recreated it in social media posts. Even the White House joined the trend on social media. During Cunningham's interview, comedian Ian Karmel jokingly suggested the pose should replace the WNBA's league logo, drawing laughter from everyone on set.

The moment has become bigger than the play that created it. Earlier this season, Cunningham explained the confrontation started because she was defending Clark after the Fever star's heated exchange with Bonner.

That game also sparked weeks of debate surrounding Clark, including questions about officiating, physical play, and player safety, after later incidents involving Alyssa Thomas and other opponents dominated the headlines.

Related News

Jaylen Brown Responds to 'Smartest Guy' Reports: 'The Bar Is F--kin' Low'

Mexico National Team Returns $1 Million in Gifted Rolexes to SteveWillDoIt

COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.

Making Culture Pop. Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows.

‘She will be the candidate’: Journalist predicts Sophie Cunningham to make run for White House

Sophie Cunningham
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) warms up before a game Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Sophie Cunningham has seen her star power rise enormously since becoming teammates with WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark. Since joining the Fever, where she has embraced the role of Clark’s “enforcer,” Cunningham has launched a podcastjoined USA Network as an active player analystbecome a meme, and, over the weekend, even debuted as a UFC ring girl.

Cunningham has also shown a willingness to talk about controversial issues in the WNBA, even when comments get her into trouble. Atlthough Cunningahm has bristled from at fans linknig her to the MAGA movement or Donald Trump directly (some fans call her “MAGA Barbie”), her recent dodging of a question about the current administration using her viral finger-pointing meme has reignited talks about her political affiliations.

In fact, ESPN Page 2 writer Chuck Klosterman has predicted that Cunningham will be on a presidential ticket within the next 25 years.

“Sophie Cunningham … I’m going to say 2050, is going to be Vice President of the United States,” Klosterman said in an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “I don’t know what party she’ll be in, I don’t know anything about her political views. But she will be the vice presidential candidate, at least the candidate.”

@CKlosterman‘s bold prediction for 2050 pic.twitter.com/Ex7PCCy55V

— The Ringer (@ringer) July 13, 2026

“I don’t know what it is. It’s something about the fact that she wears those sleeves on the court, something about the way she triggers in-bound plays at the end of games, makes me think she will be someone’s ideal vice president. You know, she has a damn likable personality.”

In fairness, Klosterman’s prediction should be taken with a grain of salt consdiering how he quickly acknowledged that he knows little about her political leanings or ambitions.

Still, in a cultural where celebrities have become prime Presidential candidates, and with the White House have already been home to one female vice president, Cunningham could end up being a pretty savvy prediction, especially considering her willingness to get her hands dirty both on the court and when it comes to dealing with the media.

The post ‘She will be the candidate’: Journalist predicts Sophie Cunningham to make run for White House appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

How to watch Fever vs Aces: Live stream WNBA, TV channel

The Las Vegas Aces (17-6) come off one of the biggest blowouts in NBA history on Saturday night to host the Indiana Fever (13-9) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) dribbles the ball during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

How to Watch Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces

  • When: Sunday, July 12, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)

A’ja Wilson finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes as Las Vegas routed the visiting Phoenix Mercury 106-58 on Saturday night. The 48-point margin was the third-largest in WNBA history, with the Aces leading by 54 at one point. Justine Pissott, who signed off Indiana’s development roster on Friday, scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in her WNBA debut, and Chelsea Gray went for 15 points and 12 assists.

– Live stream Fever vs Aces with Fubo –

Kelsey Mitchell’s layup with 10.1 seconds left gave the Fever the lead in their 92-89 road win at Phoenix on Thursday night. Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points and also handed out eight assists as Indiana played without Caitlin Clark on the back end of a back-to-back. Aliyah Boston returned to the lineup with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Tyasha Harris scored 15 points.

Wilson averages 25.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for the Aces, with Jackie Young scoring 16.2 points per game and Gray putting up 12.4 points and 7.5 assists a night. Mitchell comes in with an average of 22.5 points, while Clark, a game-time decision for Sunday night, gets 20.5 points and 7.9 assists per game, and Boston posts 17.3 points and 8.7 boards per outing.

This is a great WNBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

Live stream Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces on Fubo: Start your free trial!

You can live stream WNBA games all season long with Fubo, which offers a free trial. They carry all of the channels you will need to never miss your favorite team’s games, including nationally broadcast channels like CBS, ION, and NBA TV, as well as local team coverage.

Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead 

Sophie Cunningham shares reaction to serving as UFC 329 guest ring girl

One of the surprises of the night during UFC 329 on Saturday was WNBA and Indiana Fever star guard Sophie Cunningham serving as a guest ring girl for one of the fights.

Cunningham said it was her first-ever UFC event and she ended up being a guest ring girl during the co-main event between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis.

No surprise, Cunningham had a blast.

“Went to my first live fight last night, which was so cool,” Cunningham told reporters on Sunday. “The whole experience overall was wonderful.”

Cunningham serving as a guest ring girl was not initially in the plans for her evening.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham Adidas PE set to release this month

She said it came together “literally like five minutes before” she went into the Octagon after she spoke with UFC president and CEO Dana White, who she has become friends with.

“Dana came over to say what’s up and I was like, ‘Hey, if you need a ring girl, let me know,’ and he’s like, ‘Alright, first round for the Paddy fight, that’s you,'” she revealed.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, hah,’ and he was like, ‘No, seriously,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, God,'” she said with a laugh. “It was so much fun, though. It was a great environment.”

“I love Sophie Cunningham,” White told the media after the event.

“We’ve created a relationship, and she was here tonight. When she walked in, she goes, “Oh, I want to walk around that.’ I said, ‘Then you’re gonna walk around it,'” White explained.

Ultimately, everything went off without a hitch. Cunningham absolutely crushed her guest role.

As if Cunningham serving as the ring girl wasn’t awesome enough, the WNBA star also re-enacted her viral pointing standoff with UFC fighter Max Holloway after the main event.

A disappointing finish to UFC 329

Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (red gloves) looks on in a welterweight bout against Max Holloway (not pictured) during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While Cunningham had a great night, one of the participants in the main event, UFC legend Conor McGregor, who was making his return to the Octagon after five years, did not.

McGregor suffered a knee injury that forced a stoppage of the fight against Holloway after a little over one minute, which amounted to one of the most disappointing turn of events at a UFC event in the company’s history.

MORE: Conor McGregor warm-up video should quiet pre-fight injury rumors

McGregor’s return had a ton of hype, as evidenced by the UFC breaking its gate record by pulling in $25 million, which was $3 million more than the previous record.

There are many out there who believe that McGregor was injured before the fight started and just didn’t tell anyone, but that has yet to be proven.

How Sophie Cunningham became UFC ring girl for a night

UFC 329 was full of surprises on Saturday night, from the disastrous Conor McGregor comeback to Paddy Pimblett blowing through Benoit Saint Denis in less than one minute.

But before Pimblett stole the show in the co-main event, it was WNBA fan favorite Sophie Cunningham who generating buzz and trending on social media.

Cunningham, who became a star thanks to her role as Caitlin Clark’s enforcer on the Indiana Fever, made an unexpected cameo as a UFC ring girl before the start of the co-main event. Cunningham walked around the Octagon to signal Round 1, and then dropped her viral finger point taunt.

MORE: Max Holloway, Sophie Cunningham recreate viral pointing memes after UFC 329

At the post-fight press conference, UFC boss Dana White explained how the Cunningham cameo came to fruition, saying it was a last-minute decision that was made on a whim “about eight minutes before she did it.”

Dana White says he hired Sophie Cunningham as the ring girl “about 8 mins before she did it” pic.twitter.com/CF4aRQ49LC

— Rosalina Lee (@YoitsRosie) July 12, 2026

“I love Sophie Cunningham,” White told the media.

“We’ve created a relationship, and she was here tonight. “When she walked in, she goes, “Oh, I want to walk around that.’ I said, ‘Then you’re gonna walk around it.'”

MORE: UFC 329 results – Conor McGregor return ends in seconds due to injury

It was as simple as that.

Cunningham was in Las Vegas ahead of the Fever’s Sunday night showdown with the A’ja Wilson and the Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena in primetime. Let’s hope that things go better for Cunningham and the Fever than they did for the UFC in the main event on Saturday night.

Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham works as a ring girl during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead

❌
❌