Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stirred the pot this week by voicing support for Denver Nuggets player Michael Porter Jr.’s controversial claim that a team of elite eighth-grade boys could defeat WNBA All-Stars. Porter had made the comment during an appearance on the Ball in the Family podcast, reminiscing about scrimmaging against Cunningham’s University of Missouri team in middle school. He argued the physical advantage of boys at that age could lead to a victory against professional female players.
Cunningham, speaking on her Show Me Something podcast, agreed with Porter’s sentiment, stating that elite male athletes possess attributes such as size and strength that often surpass those of their female counterparts. She expressed her view candidly, saying, “If you are a professional athlete in any sport… if you’re in that elite level group, yeah, you should be able to beat the girls.” This perspective has sparked backlash from women’s basketball advocates, who argue that the skills and talent of female athletes deserve equal recognition.
Elaborating on her stance, Cunningham emphasized the importance of context. She noted that if the eighth graders in question are future professional athletes, they would likely have the size and strength to outperform a WNBA team. “It’s probably true!” she exclaimed when discussing the potential matchup. Her analysis is rooted in an understanding of the physical differences between genders in sports, which she believes cannot be overlooked.
Despite the criticism, Cunningham remained firm in her position, asserting that her comments are not intended to disrespect her fellow female athletes but rather reflect what she sees as a realistic perspective on the physicality involved in sports. She also defended Porter against allegations of being taken out of context, suggesting that the backlash has been exaggerated.
While some may view her statements as controversial, Cunningham’s willingness to engage in this debate highlights an ongoing conversation about gender dynamics in sports and the perceptions of athletic ability across different levels and genders. As more voices are heard in this important dialogue, it continues to shape the conversation around equality and recognition in the world of athletics.