‘The woke era is dead’: Sophie Cunningham’s recent success causes a stir

Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham is averaging less than 10 points on the season, but has still managed to become one of the most popular players in the WNBA. Most recently, Cunningham has received a massive amount of support, as well as backlash, for her comments on transgender girls competing in sports with other girls.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham, who some fans have dubbed “MAGA Barbie,” said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

After her comments caught fire on social media, Cunningham doubled down on them.

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she responded. “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.”

After her comments, Cunningham’s shoe with Adidas completely sold out, and she took to X to share her gratitude.

“You guys really showed up! nothing but genuine love for yall,” she posted.

you guys really showed up! nothing but genuine love for yallhttps://t.co/2c4nLEeRna

— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 24, 2026

Cunningham’s success led to mixed reactions from fans on social media.

“Take this as sign #2 of how thewokeeraisdead. It is not 2020 anymore. You are not locked in an apartment or your mom’s house for weeks only leaving to get food or say hi to a relative via a pandemic and issues you overly & performatively backed out of “white guilt,” one person posted on X.

“Wokeism will always be around, but it’s dying on the vine. The main stream media is the only thing keeping it alive at this point, and boomers are the only people that watch it. You don’t sell out shoes if most of the country is woke,” someone else added.

However, not everyone was supportive.

“And there it is. Another successful grift. Soon as her mediocre ‘career’ is over we’ll see her on Fox News saying our country is being invaded by illegals,” one person wrote.

Considering Cunningham’s on-court production doesn’t match her newfound popularity, it’ll be interesting to see if this is a flash in the pan or if she has staying power as one of the most marketable players in the WNBA.

The post ‘The woke era is dead’: Sophie Cunningham’s recent success causes a stir appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.