🎙️ “If You Don’t Think Caitlin Clark Is the Face of the WNBA, Sophie Cunningham Has One Hell of a Message for You”

1. Introduction: A Bold Statement on Day One

Sophie Cunningham didn’t waste a single second. In the very first episode of her brand-new podcast Show Me Something, co-hosted with Bravo star West Wilson, the Indiana Fever veteran went full throttle defending her teammate Caitlin Clark—launching into one of the most savage and unapologetic rants heard in WNBA media to date.

“It literally pisses me off when people are like, ‘She’s not the face of the league,’” Cunningham declared, before laying out the line that web comment sections would soon explode over:

“When people try to argue that she’s not the face of our league, or that our league would be where we’re at without her, you’re dumb as shit.”

“You’re literally dumb as f—.” Reddit+15Reuters+15New York Post+15Talksport+1New York Post+1

And just like that, Podcast Day One became a cultural moment.

2. Setting the Podcast Stage: Show Me Something Goes Live

Cunningham’s podcast debuted on July 30, 2025, launched through Colin Cowherd’s media company The Volume, and co-hosted with her longtime friend West Wilson, known from Summer House on Bravo. Unlike many athlete-led media ventures, this show promises an unfiltered, personality-first approach, blending sports, lifestyle, and pop culture with honest commentary and humor. People.com+2Reuters+2New York Post+2

In that first episode, Cunningham threw down the gauntlet immediately—strategically using her platform to elevate and fiercely defend the presence of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA landscape.

3. The Raptors – or Rather the Rivals – She’s Speaking To

Clark has undeniably become a lightning rod in the WNBA ecosystem. After an explosive 2024 rookie season, she didn’t just earn Rookie of the Year—she reshaped league viewership and attendance, drawing record-breaking TV audiences and selling merchandise like wildfire.

But along with her meteoric rise came resentment—from opponents, media voices, social media trolls, and rival players alike. Some questioned whether her hype was deserved. Others bashed her media presence or tried to test her on court. Cunningham didn’t just call them out. She obliterated them with her words.

This is more than protectiveness—it’s strategic reckoning. And it’s delivered without apology.

4. Cunningham’s Core Message: Impact Trumping Hype

Let’s break down Cunningham’s argument:

Clark drives attention: She’s pulling in new fans. Games involving Clark—including matchups versus Angel Reese—have broken viewership records. New York Post+3Talksport+3CBSSports.com+3

She has the stats: Even amid injuries, Clark is still averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5 rebounds per game—second in the league in assists. Wikipedia+11CBSSports.com+11The Japan Times+11

She generates league growth: The Fever’s home attendance ballooned massively in 2024—by 320%, reaching 17,000+ fans per game. Clark was the engine. CBSSports.com+2Talksport+2New York Post+2

Therefore: arguing that the league “would be just as big without her” is, in Cunningham’s words, outright dumb.

She admits the league is filled with talented “bad-ass” players—but Clark’s combination of on-court leadership and cultural impact is a league-defining force.

5. What’s Behind the Criticism of Clark?

Understanding Cunningham’s stance requires context on why Clark is frequently criticized:

Aggressive on-court physicality: Opponents have tested her physically. The February melee where Cunningham defended Clark against Jacy Sheldon gained viral attention. New York Postnewstimes.com+2Wikipedia+2New York Post+2

Off-court fame and NIL controversies: Her media presence includes everything from catchy t-shirts (“Pay us what you owe us”) to sponsorships—causing friction with fans and players uneasy with sudden stardom.

Shifting MVP narratives: In a season marred by three separate soft‑tissue injuries, Clark has dropped down from favorite status for MVP to behind contenders like Napheesa Collier and even Paige Bueckers. CBSSports.com+5Talksport+5CBSSports.com+5

Critics often seize upon injuries or inconsistent shooting (she’s shooting 27.9% from three-point range this year) to undermine her status. But Cunningham rejects those takes as short-sighted and ultimately irrelevant to Clark’s transformative role. CBSSports.comThe Japan Times

6. What Cunningham’s Rant Signifies

Sophie Cunningham calling critics “dumb as f–k” isn’t just hype. It’s a declaration that tone matters now. Her message:

Loyalty counts, especially in defending a teammate who’s affecting massive league-wide shifts.

Respect matters, especially when players elevate the league’s profile.

Truth matters, even if it’s laced with profanity.

She laid out the case: Clark’s value isn’t based on popularity polls, but on tangible shifts in audience, media, revenue, and team culture.

7. Fan and Media Reaction: Split but Focused

The reaction was immediate and fierce.

Reddit and X lit up with fans echoing Cunningham’s frustrations:

“She just said what we’ve all been thinking.”
“Clark is carrying this league’s growth.”
“That was savage—but she’s not wrong.”

Some pushed back, criticizing Cunningham for harsh language or saying that public criticism should be fair game—even toward a rookie. Yet few denied Clark’s impact.

Cunningham, by contrast, positioned herself as Clark’s biggest ally—and boosted her own profile in the process. The podcast launch, driven by this explosive stance, is already trending for its mix of sports analysis and raw personality. Reddit+4Talksport+4New York Post+4

8. Where Clark Is Now: Injury, Absences, and the Bigger Picture

Caitlin Clark’s 2025 season has been a test of resilience. She missed 13 of Indiana’s first 24 games due to three soft-tissue injuries—a left quad strain, a left groin issue, and most recently a right groin injury. newstimes.com+9CBSSports.com+9The Japan Times+9

She first injured the quad in late May, missing at least two weeks.

She returned on June 14 and dropped 32 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds to lead the Fever past the Liberty. The Japan Times+5ESPN.com+5espn.com+5

A left groin issue knocked her out again at the end of June.

She returned briefly on July 9 in a loss to the Golden State Valkyries, then was sidelined again after reinjury on July 15. CBSSports.com+2newstimes.com+2ESPN.com+2

As of late July, there was still no official return timeline. A specialist confirmed no new structural damage, but the Fever took a cautious approach aiming for a mid-to-late August return, ideally after ramping up practice reps. CBSSports.com+1The Sun+1

Despite missing so many games, Clark is still averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game—and Indiana is 8–5 with her, 6–7 without her, showing how impactful she remains. CBSSports.com

9. Why Clark Still Claims Face-of-the-League Status

Even amid injuries, Clark’s relevance isn’t fading—it’s evolving:

She elevated viewership: A 2.7M‑viewer game against Angel Reese and the Sky shattered broadcast records for a non-final. New York Post+3Talksport+3CBSSports.com+3

She shifted attendance: The Fever’s home crowd surged by 320%, with Clark at the center of that boom. Wikipedia

She disrupted narratives: Rookie of the Year, team captain for All-Star Game, and a lightning rod for conversation both on- and off-court. WikipediaWikipediaThe Sun

Cunningham’s argument rests on these impacts—not statistics alone, but cultural transformation.

10. Cunningham’s Role: Team Ally and Emerging Voice

Sophie Cunningham’s arrival in Indiana—via trade from Phoenix on January 31, 2025—has been more than strategic. It brought a veteran presence, a defender for Clark, and a voice unafraid of confrontation. Wikipedia

Cunningham, known for stepping up in games where Clark was targeted physically, gained viral status after she dragged Jacy Sheldon to the floor in retaliation for a poke to Clark’s eye. That viral moment—and subsequent social media buzz—helped her build a large following and gave her leverage to launch her podcast just weeks later. WikipediaNew York Post

11. The League’s Landscape: Who Else Is in the Running?

While many agree Clark is the present and future face of the WNBA, debates continue:

A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces): a two-time MVP, championship winner, household name.

Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx): the current MVP front-runner and defensive anchor.

Angel Reese (Chicago Sky): a rising star with cultural pull and physical dominance inside.

Still, Cunningham’s point was blunt: dismissing Clark’s impact ignores her league-shifting contributions—even if others are also outstanding. New York Post+2Talksport+2Wikipedia+2

12. What Comes Next: Podcast, Culture, and Countdown to Return

Going forward:

Show Me Something will continue blending sports, culture, and personal perspectives—Cunningham’s unfiltered style likely to generate controversy and conversation alike. The Sun+3Reuters+3New York Post+3

As Clark rehab progresses, her return mid-to-late August will be watched closely, especially given her shooting slump and workload concerns. CBSSports.com

Indiana’s ability to maintain playoff pace without her will matter—especially if Cunningham’s defense and the rest of the roster can sustain momentum.

13. Final Take: Mic Drop or Game Changer?

Yes, Sophie Cunningham’s phrasing is sharp—no holding back. But her core point is powerful: Caitlin Clark is more than a player. She’s a pivotal force in WNBA growth.

Cunningham’s words may sting. They may provoke. But they also affirm: some players do more for a sport than just compete—they elevate it. And dismissing that? That’s the real “dumb as f‑‑‑” moment.

🔍 Summary Bullet Points

Cunningham launched Show Me Something podcast in July 2025 with co-host West Wilson. Reddit+1New York Post+1The Sun+3Reuters+3New York Post+3

In episode one, she declared haters of Caitlin Clark “dumb as shit” for denying Clark’s league-defining impact. New York Post

Clark’s influence includes massive increases in viewership, attendance, and cultural conversation around the WNBA. WikipediaTalksport

Despite injuries and inconsistent shooting in 2025, she still averages 16.5 PPG, 8.8 APG, and Indiana performs better with her on court. CBSSports.comThe Japan TimesCBSSports.com

Sophie Cunningham’s rise—via viral incidents and her protective stance—adds a new, bold voice in WNBA media. WikipediaNew York PostReuters

Debate remains around other figures like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese—but Cunningham insists Clark’s contributions are unmatched. TalksportWikipedia

Clark’s return is still uncertain—expected maybe mid-late August—but her cultural footprint is already permanent.