WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has fired back at Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy after his controversial comments about women's basketball during a recent podcast episode.
The Phoenix Mercury forward didn't hold back when addressing Portnoy's dismissive remarks, which included calling the WNBA "unwatchable" and suggesting the league only exists because of political correctness.
A Heated Exchange
Cunningham, known for her competitive spirit both on and off the court, took to social media to challenge Portnoy's views. "Another man who's never watched a game trying to tell us about our league," she tweeted, accompanied by an eye-roll emoji.
The athlete pointed to the WNBA's growing popularity, citing record-breaking attendance figures and increasing television ratings. "We're out here breaking records every season, but sure, tell us more about how 'unwatchable' we are," Cunningham added sarcastically.
The Podcast Controversy
Portnoy made his comments during an episode of his popular podcast, where he claimed men's college basketball was far superior to the WNBA. "I'd rather watch a random men's college game than the WNBA finals," he stated, sparking outrage among women's basketball supporters.
WNBA players and fans quickly rallied behind Cunningham, flooding social media with highlights of spectacular plays and statistics demonstrating the league's growth. Many pointed out that Portnoy's comments came just days after the WNBA announced its most-watched regular season in over a decade.
Growing Support for Women's Sports
The incident highlights the ongoing debate about media coverage and respect for women's professional sports. Basketball analysts noted that similar dismissive attitudes were once directed at women's football and tennis before those sports achieved mainstream popularity.
Cunningham concluded her response by inviting Portnoy to actually attend a WNBA game. "The energy in our arenas is electric," she said. "But you'd have to actually show up to know that."
