Sophie Cunningham Apologizes After Fox News Called Her Out

Fox News pivoted to praising WNBA star Sophie Cunningham following the Republicans' losses on Election Night on Tuesday.

As the Democrats took major control of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, Fox News responded by talking about the 30-year-old Indiana Fever guard.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, by 8:57 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning, Fox News was discussing Cunningham and her views across multiple programs.

Aaron Rupar shared that "fresh off Republicans getting annihilated last night, Fox News is back to talking about Sophie Cunningham all the time."

Rupar noted she has "been praised across four different shows today for her among other things her number of Instagram followers, which is obviously world historical news."

The timing of this media focus is notable.

Cunningham became a lightning rod last summer over comments supporting the separation of biological males and females in sports and locker rooms.

Multiple U.S. states did pass laws banning transgender women from participating in school-sponsored women's sports, including Nebraska and Arizona.

Cunningham has been arguing in favor of that position.

She said this summer, in an ESPN article, that she wanted to "protect young girls in the locker room" and that "they shouldn't have to go against biological men."

"I said what I said," Cunningham said at the time.

"I think it's kind of common sense. And I think I'll always believe in that. I think it's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said."

Cunningham has made it clear that she "doesn't care" if people hate her for this.

"Everyone always is coming at it as a negative," Cunningham said.

"Well, me coming out with that, there are so many people who are coming out with the positive, saying, 'You know what? Finally, someone has said something.' And I don't really look at either side of those because I know whatever I say, I'm going to get hate and I'm going to get love, and if I'm going to live by the love, I'm gonna die by the hate, and that's just not who I am. I beat to my own drum."

The Fever, meanwhile, added that they are respectful of differing opinions.

"Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own," the Fever said in their statement.

"We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that's what guides us as an organization."

But Cunningham does not fit neatly into a partisan box.

She has been adamant about being in the political "middle," saying she agrees with arguments from both sides of the aisle.

On Wednesday, one day after the Democratic-dominated midterm elections, she shared a post from entrepreneur Andy Frisella on her Instagram emphasizing personal growth over political identity.

"One of the strangest things about our culture is how much faith we’ve placed in elections to change our lives and how little faith we’ve placed in our own ability to do the same," Frisella’s post read.

"People will spend months arguing about who should lead the country while spending zero time considering how they could better lead themselves … and THAT is a much bigger problem than most people realize."

"Because the strength of a country is ultimately a reflection of the character, discipline and standards of the people who make it up."

"That’s you. Politics is downstream of culture."

"We can keep changing the people in charge, passing new laws and arguing over which party has the answers … but until we change the culture fostering, producing and tolerating the problems we have as a society, nothing fundamentally changes."

"A population of weak, unhealthy, uninformed and dependent people is a hell of a lot easier to control than a population of strong, healthy, educated and self-reliant people."

"Your responsibility is to become the exact opposite of everything they want for you to the best of your abilities."

"Your REAL best. In my opinion that’s our obligation as Americans."

"A culture of personal excellence is the foundation of a great country."

"There is no election, politician, policy or law that can substitute for that … and the best thing about that is the same behaviors that make you a better American also make your own life better quickly."

"If we want a better America … It starts with better Americans. There is no other way."

Fox News’ Matt Calkins framed Cunningham’s post as an attempt to unify an increasingly divided country.

He contrasted it with a message from Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud, who appeared to taunt Republicans after the midterm results.

Calkins wrote that one player "attempted to unify an increasingly divided country" while another "seemed to give her opponents a firm slap in the face."

Cunningham’s rise to national attention has been dramatic.

She has appeared on podcasts with Theo Von and has challenged men who claim they could beat WNBA players in one-on-one games.

"I’ll cook his a**," she said in one viral moment, responding to men making those claims.

She has also questioned why WNBA players miss open layups.

"Why do we miss so many wide open layups?" she asked.

"It’s a joke. What the f–k is that?"

That comment prompted her to issue an apology to fans for the NSFW language.

"Sorry for cussing," she said.

The story of Fox News pivoting to Cunningham after the election was originally published by The Spun on November 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section.

The question now is how this media attention will affect Cunningham’s career.

She is an impending free agent for the Fever.