Sports Illustrated says WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is its pick for Woman of the Year.
The magazine made the announcement this week, praising the Indiana Fever guard for her play on the court and her willingness to speak up off of it. Editors said the decision wasn’t a hard one.
“Between what she does in games and how she stands up for women away from them, she was the obvious pick,” the magazine said in a statement.
Cunningham has become one of the most talked-about players in the league. Known for her toughness, her sharp shooting, and her refusal to back down from anyone, she has built a fan base that stretches well beyond basketball. She has also become one of the loudest voices in sports defending women’s spaces, speaking out in support of keeping women’s competitions for biological women.
That stance has made her a hero to some and a target for others. Cunningham has said many times that she isn’t trying to pick fights. She just wants girls coming up behind her to have the same chances she had.
She says she’s “thrilled” by the honor and will pick it up at an event later in the month. She also had a pretty clear idea of who she wants on stage with her.
“Riley Gaines should be the one handing it to me,” said Sophie.
Gaines, the former Kentucky swimmer who became a national figure after competing against a transgender athlete at the NCAA championships, has spent the last few years leading the fight to protect women’s sports. She and Cunningham have shown support for each other publicly, and fans have often called them two of the bravest women in athletics.
Gaines responded within hours, saying on social media that she would “be honored” if the magazine asked her.
The announcement drew a mix of reactions. Many fans flooded the comments to congratulate Cunningham, calling it one of the best picks the magazine has made in years. Some said it was refreshing to see a major outlet recognize an athlete who doesn’t follow the usual script.
Others weren’t happy. A few advocacy groups criticized the decision and said the magazine was rewarding divisive views. Some longtime readers said they were surprised SI went in this direction at all.
Cunningham’s teammates, though, were all smiles. One posted a photo of her with the caption “Woman of the Year, and still can’t parallel park.”
Cunningham laughed it off, as she usually does.
“I’m just grateful,” she told reporters after practice. “I play hard, I say what I believe, and I try to have some fun. I didn’t expect anybody to give me an award for that.” People close to her say she plans to bring her family to the event and give a short speech thanking the women who stood up before her.
Congrats girl.