Sophie Cunningham Shares Her Honest Views on WNBA National Anthem Controversy

Sophie Cunningham has made her position on the WNBA national anthem controversy clear, and her comments have added another voice to a debate attracting attention far beyond basketball. The Indiana Fever star says she takes considerable pride in being American and will always show appreciation for those serving in the military.

During an appearance on comedian Theo Von’s podcast, Cunningham addressed the growing criticism surrounding the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. While she stopped short of directly attacking either team, her comments revealed why she feels strongly about the national anthem and the people who defend the country.

Sophie Cunningham Reveals Her Position During Theo Von Interview

Cunningham appeared on This Past Weekend, the podcast hosted by comedian Theo Von, where the conversation eventually turned toward the controversy surrounding WNBA players leaving the court before the national anthem. The subject has become increasingly prominent during the 2026 WNBA Finals, with both competing teams attracting attention for their pregame routine.

Von asked Cunningham whether she had any thoughts about players walking out before the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Her response suggested that she was already familiar with the discussion and had a definite position on the subject.

“I mean, you know who you’re talking to? Of course I have thoughts on it,” Cunningham replied.

The basketball star then explained that the practice had been happening throughout the season. She questioned why the issue was attracting such significant attention during the Finals when teams had reportedly followed similar routines during earlier games.

“This has been happening throughout the whole season. This isn’t like anything new, people are getting mad about it now but it’s happened the whole season,” she said.

Her response highlighted what she viewed as a difference between the timing of the practice and the timing of the public criticism. The Finals have brought additional attention to the league, giving the anthem controversy a much larger audience than it previously received.

Cunningham did not use the interview to launch a direct criticism of the Atlanta Dream or Golden State Valkyries. Instead, she explained her personal position and the reasons behind her appreciation for the national anthem and military personnel.

Why Cunningham Says She Will Always Support American Veterans

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Cunningham’s comments became more personal when she discussed her family’s connection to military service. She explained that relatives have served in the armed forces, giving her a personal appreciation for people who undertake military responsibilities.

“I just feel like personally I have a lot, I am grateful and I support the people who serve,” she said.

She continued by describing the sacrifices made by service members while other Americans have opportunities to pursue their professional ambitions and enjoy their everyday freedoms. Her comments connected her position on the anthem with her family’s experiences.

“We have family members who have served and they’re over there doing that are unimaginable for us to out here living our dreams and having the freedoms that we live,” Cunningham explained.

The Fever guard also made clear that acknowledging veterans and active-duty personnel is something she intends to continue doing. She said she wants to show appreciation whenever she has an opportunity to recognize their service.

“Anytime that I can shout out our veterans and the people who are currently fighting for us to live in the best country, I’m going to show that support, I’m going to give them love,” she added.

Her explanation offered a glimpse into why the anthem debate carries personal significance for her. Rather than discussing the issue exclusively through the lens of professional basketball, she brought the conversation back to family members who have served.

Cunningham also acknowledged that her position does not necessarily reflect the views of every player. She appeared willing to recognize that other people could interpret the anthem and its significance differently.

“That doesn’t mean that’s where everyone stands and if it’s right, wrong, whatever,” she said.

She finished by reaffirming her pride in her background and national identity, saying, “I take a lot of pride in where I come from and I’m proud to be an American citizen.”

Atlanta Dream And Golden State Valkyries Face Growing Criticism

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The controversy surrounding Cunningham’s comments involves the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, who have followed a similar pregame routine during their championship series.

Players from both teams left the court before the national anthem during the opening five games of the Finals. They returned shortly after the performance ended, creating a repeated moment that became increasingly noticeable as the series progressed.

The practice attracted criticism from some fans and commentators, particularly as the championship series received greater national attention. The Finals provided a high-profile setting for an issue that Cunningham said had already been present throughout the regular season.

The two teams have not publicly established a shared political explanation for their actions. Their comments have instead pointed toward existing routines and individual approaches to pregame preparation.

The controversy has also become part of the wider discussion surrounding the WNBA. The league has experienced increased attention during the 2026 season, and discussions involving players have frequently extended beyond performances on the court.

Several factors have contributed to the attention surrounding the anthem issue:

• The championship spotlight: The Finals have brought the teams’ pregame routines to a much larger national audience.
• Different personal positions: Players and fans have different views about the significance of the national anthem.
• The military connection: Cunningham has explained that her support comes partly from having family members who served.
• Political involvement: Vice President JD Vance has publicly criticized the teams’ decision.
• The league’s history: Anthem-related demonstrations and discussions have appeared in the WNBA over several seasons.

The disagreement has consequently become about more than a brief moment before a basketball game. It has brought questions about national identity, personal expression and the visibility of professional athletes into the same conversation.

Gabby Williams Explains Why The Valkyries Leave The Court

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Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams has previously addressed questions about the team’s decision to leave before the national anthem. Her explanation offered an alternative perspective to the political interpretations circulating around the controversy.

Williams said the practice was part of the team’s established routine and rejected the suggestion that it represented a protest.

When asked about the possibility of a political demonstration, Williams explained that the team had followed the same approach for years.

“That’s been the routine for like seven years now,” Williams told OutKick.

Her comments were significant because they directly addressed one of the central questions surrounding the controversy. While some observers interpreted the team’s absence as a political statement, Williams presented it as an established part of its pregame schedule.

Head coach Natalie Nakase also described the decision as part of the team’s pregame routine when discussing the subject. Neither explanation established that the team was deliberately using its absence to criticize the national anthem or the United States.

The distinction has remained important throughout the discussion. Leaving the court before the anthem can attract public interpretation, but that does not automatically establish the motivations of every player involved.

Cunningham appeared to recognize that difference when she discussed the subject with Von. She made her own position clear while acknowledging that other people could have different opinions.

Her approach also avoided turning the interview into a personal confrontation with Williams or other Valkyries players. She discussed her beliefs without claiming to speak on behalf of the entire league.

Atlanta Dream’s Anthem Position Dates Back To 2020

The Atlanta Dream also has a history of participating in discussions surrounding the national anthem and its meaning.

During the 2020 season, the organization released a statement expressing its concerns about whether the anthem represented freedom and equality for every American. The statement included a particularly direct assessment of the issue.

“The anthem does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans,” the Dream said.

That statement provides historical context for the current controversy, although it should not automatically be treated as an explanation for every decision the organization makes today.

The 2020 season was a significant period for the WNBA, with players and organizations becoming involved in discussions about racial justice and equality. Athletes used their visibility to draw attention to issues they considered important, while teams adopted different approaches to expressing their positions.

The league’s anthem practices have also changed over time. In 2017, the WNBA suspended enforcement of its mandatory anthem protocols, giving teams greater flexibility over whether players remained on the court during the performance.

The subject has therefore appeared in different forms across multiple seasons. Some teams have remained present during the anthem, while others have followed routines that involve leaving the court beforehand.

For Atlanta, the 2020 statement demonstrates that the organization has previously addressed the relationship between the anthem and its interpretation of American freedom. The current Finals have brought renewed attention to that history.

However, the distinction between the organization’s earlier public statement and its current pregame routine remains relevant. Neither the Dream nor the Valkyries has provided a detailed joint explanation establishing that their actions during the Finals represent a coordinated political demonstration.

JD Vance Enters The Debate With Strong Criticism

The anthem controversy has also attracted criticism from Vice President JD Vance, who questioned the decision by WNBA players to leave the court.

Vance argued that people should distinguish between criticizing government policies and expressing criticism toward the country as a whole. His comments reflected his view that the teams’ actions were inappropriate.

“I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large,” Vance said.

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding professional basketball players and the opportunities available to them.

“I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have,” he continued.

His remarks brought the controversy further into the political conversation. The discussion was no longer limited to basketball fans debating a team’s pregame routine.

Vance’s criticism also introduced a disagreement about how professional athletes should express themselves during sporting events. Some people view the national anthem as an occasion for collective recognition of the country and its service members. Others approach it through their own experiences and interpretations of American history.

The teams’ explanations have not established that their decisions were directed at a particular politician or government policy. That distinction is relevant when considering Vance’s comments about political criticism.

Cunningham’s interview added another perspective to the discussion. Her support for military personnel overlaps with the appreciation for service members expressed in Vance’s remarks, but she did not directly endorse his criticism of the teams.

Instead, she kept her comments focused on her personal beliefs. She also acknowledged that other people might not share them.

Cunningham Has Become A Prominent WNBA Talking Point

The anthem discussion is another major moment in a season that has placed Cunningham under considerable public attention.

The Indiana Fever guard has become a recognizable figure in the WNBA, partly because of her outspoken personality and willingness to discuss controversial subjects.

Earlier in the season, she attracted national attention after expressing opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Her comments became part of a wider discussion about eligibility rules and the future of women’s professional basketball.

That debate continued to attract attention throughout the season. It also demonstrated how conversations involving individual players can quickly become league-wide issues.

Cunningham’s latest interview follows a similar pattern. A question about the national anthem prompted her to discuss her family, military service and personal pride in being American.

Her position also comes at an important point in her professional career. She is a pending free agent following her season with Indiana, leaving her next destination uncertain.

The 30-year-old previously appeared in the WNBA Finals with the Phoenix Mercury in 2021. The Mercury lost the championship series to the Chicago Sky, who secured the title in four games.

Her experience with different teams and her public profile have helped establish her as a familiar name among WNBA followers. The latest controversy has introduced her comments to an even wider audience.

There is also a distinction between being outspoken and speaking for an entire organization. Cunningham has consistently presented her views as personal positions rather than official statements on behalf of the Fever or the WNBA.

Her remarks to Von followed that approach. She explained what she believes without suggesting that every other player should adopt the same position.

Game 7 Brings The Finals Back Into Focus

While the anthem debate continues attracting attention, the championship series has reached a decisive point.

The Golden State Valkyries entered Game 6 with a 3-2 advantage and an opportunity to secure their first WNBA championship. However, the Atlanta Dream produced an 80-69 victory on Thursday, October 29, forcing the series into a seventh game.

Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 23 points, while Rhyne Howard contributed 21. Angel Reese also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 26 points, but the Valkyries could not complete the championship-clinching victory on Atlanta’s home court.

The result means the two teams will meet again on Saturday, October 31, in a winner-takes-all Game 7 at Golden State. Both organizations are competing for their first WNBA title.

The championship has already attracted significant attention, with the anthem controversy adding another talking point to the series. However, the teams now face the immediate challenge of preparing for the final game.

Cunningham’s comments have made her personal position clear, particularly her appreciation for veterans and active-duty service members. She has also left room for other players to hold different views without directly challenging their individual decisions.

The final game will determine which team lifts the championship trophy, but the debate surrounding the anthem has already become one of the defining conversations of these Finals. For Cunningham, the message remains personal: she is proud of her country and intends to continue showing support for the people who serve it.

Featured Image Credits from Instagram @sophiecham