Full Breakdown
Sophie Cunningham Embraces “Sex Symbol” Label and Refocuses Her Podcast Amid WNBA Spotlight
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Public Embrace of the “Sex Symbol” Tag and Launch of “No Hesitation”
During a September 11 appearance on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham dismissed speculation about the three-month hiatus of her former show *Show Me Something* as “just dumb.” She answered Cowherd’s question about being viewed as a league “sex symbol,” saying she “doesn’t care” and that the label is “way better” than other possibilities. The interview also announced the rebranded, basketball-only podcast No Hesitation, now co-hosted with shooting coach Drew Hanlen.
Background & Context
Cunningham’s comments arrive as the WNBA experiences a surge in viewership and attendance, a trend many analysts link to the arrival of high-profile rookies such as Caitlin Clark. In a separate interview on her “No Hesitation” launch, trainer Drew Hanlan credited Clark with helping the league “go global,” comparing the effect to Michael Jordan’s impact on the NBA.
Data & Statistics
- Indiana Fever game attendance has risen from just over 2,000 per game five years ago to an average of 15,109 this season.
- League-wide average attendance has climbed from 2,600 to over 11,000 per game.
- Television viewership now averages 1.3 million viewers per game, roughly five times the figure from five seasons earlier.
Official Statements & Responses
Cunningham explained that her “girly” wardrobe choices are both personal expression and a business strategy:
— Cunningham
Regarding the podcast, Cunningham said the rebrand had been in development for months and was intended to focus “solely on basketball,” aligning with The Volume’s strategic direction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s just dumb. It’s just dumb,” — Sophie Cunningham
- “For me, the reason why I really lean into that is, first of all, I've always been super girly. Since a little girl, I've always loved to dress up. I love dresses. I love high heels. I love all of that,” — Sophie Cunningham
- “If people are seeing how I dress, well, guess what? That's business. Now clothing brands are coming and sending me clothes and wanting to work with me,” — Sophie Cunningham
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two narratives explain the *Show Me Something* hiatus:
1. Planned rebrand – Front Office Sports, cited by Awful Announcing, indicated a source who said the one-year deal for the original podcast was expiring and that both Cunningham and The Volume were already working on a basketball-only format.
The sources do not confirm which factor was decisive, leaving the exact motive for the hiatus ambiguous.
What’s Next
The No Hesitation podcast debuted on September 10 and will continue covering WNBA and NBA topics. As viewership and attendance remain elevated, Cunningham’s dual focus on style and sport is likely to stay in the public conversation.
