Jason Whitlock has officially walked back his support for Sophie Cunningham, turning what was once praise into a scathing critique. Known for stirring up strong takes on sports culture, Whitlock said the Phoenix Mercury guard has become part of what makes the WNBA hard to watch.
On his show, he laid it out without hesitation:
“Lord knows I like Sophie Cunningham. Not likable. Just wants to get naked at every turn and complain. It’s-I’m bending over backwards. I got Sophie Cunningham’s picture on my set. We look at it. I mean, I like Sophie, but holy cow. Shut up and put some clothes on and quit acting like the world owes you all something.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_wJMjplNGU
By grouping Sophie Cunningham with Caitlin Clark and others, Whitlock suggests this is a league-wide problem. His words underline a broader frustration that, despite record attention on women’s basketball, the product isn’t resonating with casual audiences.
But Whitlock’s criticism frames Sophie Cunningham as another example of wasted potential. Whether fair or not, the narrative around her now shifts from fan favorite to “unlikable,” leaving a debate over whether outspoken stars help the league—or drag it down.
Jason Whitlock Says Sophie Cunningham Symbolizes WNBA’s Likability Problem
Jason Whitlock’s remarks about Sophie Cunningham didn’t come in isolation. They were part of a larger claim that the WNBA is struggling to produce stars who connect with audiences.
“Nobody in this league is really likable. And I’m sorry. Everybody can leave the subscribers and run away from this show, but I’ve tried,” Whitlock said, adding that even the players he once admired have now fallen into the same pattern of complaints and drama.
Sophie Cunningham was one of those players. Once seen as a fan-friendly figure with energy and flair, she’s now being painted by Whitlock as symbolic of the league’s image problem. His criticism argues that instead of building excitement, too many stars are caught up in controversies or personal statements that turn off the very fans the league is trying to attract.
Cunningham’s defenders push back, saying she stands out precisely because of her strong personality. They point out that in men’s basketball, outspoken behavior is often celebrated as competitiveness, while women get called difficult. For them, Sophie Cunningham brings the spark that can make the WNBA feel less scripted and more real.
The clash of views leaves Sophie Cunningham at the center of a bigger question. Is she an authentic voice who draws fans in, or is she another example of the WNBA struggling to balance personality with broad appeal? For Whitlock, the answer is already clear. For the league, the debate is just beginning.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
