Jemele Hill Blasts Sophie Cunningham After She Snubbed Detroit and Cleveland in WNBA Expansion Debate

Sophie Cunningham, a veteran guard for the Indiana Fever, has recently stirred up controversy regarding the WNBA’s expansion plans—only to face public backlash from notable sports figures, most prominently journalist Jemele Hill.

WNBA Expansion Sparks Criticism

Earlier this summer, the WNBA confirmed plans to expand to three new cities by 2030, bringing the league to 18 teams. The timeline includes Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030, reintroducing professional women’s basketball to cities with rich pasts in the league. Reddit+15AP News+15thespun.com+15

When asked for her take, Cunningham didn’t mince words. She questioned whether players or fans would be excited to visit or play in Detroit or Cleveland—cities she felt lacked the allure of market destinations like Miami, Nashville, or Kansas City. AP News+9SI+9People.com+9

Her exact quote:
“I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].” People.comdeadspin.com

Cities Push Back with Civic Pride

Detroit and Cleveland responded promptly via their official X (formerly Twitter) accounts—turning Cunningham’s skepticism into a teachable moment. deadspin.com+11AP News+11NBC Sports+11

Cleveland highlighted enthusiasm for the sport and shared a clip showing teammate Caitlin Clark praising the city during the 2024 NCAA Final Four. They posted:
“Sophie, your teammate doesn’t seem to think Cleveland is too bad!” Reddit+14AP News+14SI+14

Detroit cited the legacy of the former Detroit Shock, noting top-five attendance performance for five consecutive WNBA seasons and a record-breaking crowd of 22,076 at the 2003 Finals. They declared:
“Detroit is a sports town. We’re sure we’ll see the same excitement when WNBA returns.” The Washington Post+11AP News+11SI+11

Jemele Hill Responds: A Firm Reality Check

One of the harshest critics came from media personality Jemele Hill, who stepped in to defend Detroit. Responding to Cunningham on X, Hill wrote:

“Sis, you play in Indiana. No disrespect.” Reddit+5Awful Announcing+5thespun.com+5

Hill doubled down, reminding her that Detroit was once a powerhouse WNBA market:

“She’s unfortunately too young to know Detroit was ranked top 5 in attendance when we had the Shock, and won three titles in six years.” The Sun+3Awful Announcing+3People.com+3

Jemele framed the criticism as disrespectful to the cities that paved the way for the league’s success—and urged Cunningham to support league expansion rather than dismiss it out of hand.

Cunningham Clarifies—but Doesn’t Fully Mend Fences

A few days later, Cunningham offered a clarification during a press appearance before the Fever’s game against the Aces. She emphasized that her comments had been misinterpreted and that she deeply respects both Detroit and Cleveland. New York Post

She explained the focus was on the off-court lifestyle athletes might seek—naming Miami and Broadway-centric Nashville as markets offering vibrant social environments. She acknowledged the contributions of Cleveland’s Rockers and Detroit’s Shock teams in establishing the league’s legacy. SI+1New York Post+1

Cunningham also discussed how the importance of a lifestyle-market balance—especially for mental health and work-life equilibrium—can play into where players prefer to star. She emphasized:
“I would never speak down upon middle-class, blue-collar working people… I’m from Missouri… all I was getting at was Broadway sounds fun, Miami sounds fun.” SI

Wider Reaction: Teammates, Fans, and Rivals Chime In

The backlash didn’t stop with cities and Hill. Popular Cleveland players Donovan Mitchell and Tristan Thompson defended their city, pointing to passionate fans and local culture. Detroit’s citizens and sports media reiterated their status as a genuine basketball town. People.com+1SI+1

Even rival WNBA teams added fuel to the fire. The LA Sparks took to social media after defeating Indiana, joking:

“List of cities Indiana has beef with: Detroit, Cleveland, Los Angeles.” The Sun

Why This Matters: Expansion, Athlete Voice, and Legacy

This controversy cuts into larger conversations about WNBA expansion and player influence. As a Players’ Association representative, Cunningham’s views carry weight—and some argue she could have advocated more positively or collaboratively. People.com

Detroit and Cleveland aren’t fringe markets—they’re historic WNBA cities with legacies to match. The Shock won three championships in the 2000s and regularly filled arenas; Cleveland’s fan support was consistent and enthusiastic. Cunningham’s comments initially obscured that legacy. Awful AnnouncingSIsportsbusinessjournal.com

But the dispute also reflects generational differences and changing priorities in athletes’ decision-making—highlighting lifestyle, mental health, and professional comfort alongside market size in expansion conversations. New York PostSI

Looking Ahead: A Reminder of Complexity in Athlete Commentary

Cunningham’s experience underscores how much scrutiny pro athletes face outside their performances. Her attempts to clarify only partially quelled backlash—showing how comments can ignite broader cultural and civic debates quickly. New York PostSI

For cities like Detroit and Cleveland, the exchanges shifted the narrative—from being overlooked to gaining renewed pride. The public rebuttals painted WNBA expansion not as a business decision, but a symbolic moment in sports history. AP NewsSIsportsbusinessjournal.com

Final Take

Sophie Cunningham’s skepticism about expansion cities ignited one of the most visible social-media controversies of the WNBA season. It drew responses from civic leaders, former champions, players, and journalists—including one of the league’s most respected voices, Jemele Hill.

Whether or not Cunningham’s words were poorly chosen or intended as critique over lifestyle, the incident reinforced two facts: expansions must honor history—and athlete commentary carries consequences. As the WNBA grows into new markets, respect and context matter—as much as candor and player agency.