Sophie Cunningham hasn’t been at a press conference in a minute. The guard, who played 30 games before tearing the MCL in her right knee in August, had plenty to share at her Indiana Fever exit interview on Thursday.
Cunningham took aim at WNBA officials and leadership in her 12 minutes at the dais.
‘Our leadership needs to be held accountable,’ Cunningham said. ‘I think that there are a lot of people in position of power. They might be really great business people, but they don’t know s— about basketball.’
The Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever from the postseason in overtime in Game 5 of the semifinals Tuesday. Cunningham alluded to player safety as it relates to officiating and said the WNBA’s powerbrokers may not have a handle on what needs to change.
“It’s bad when fans and players, especially players, when we’re competing at the highest level, and it’s like a battlefield out there,’ Cunningham said. ‘(Opposing players are) agreeing on the court because of how awful the officials are. That’s saying something. Listen to us.
“There is room for improvement to change the criteria (for flagrant fouls) when the whole league is asking for it,’ she added.
Cunningham said she was proud of how the Fever fought to stay alive in the playoffs despite losing five players, including Caitlin Clark, to season-ending injuries. They finished 24-20 and advanced to the postseason for the second straight year, upsetting the Atlanta Dream in the first round before falling to the Aces.
‘The way fans embraced us from all over the world, reaching out to us, it was truly awesome, inspiring,’ she said ‘But it was also the season from hell and hopefully this never happens again.’
Cunningham, who was on a one-year deal after playing six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, said she will listen to all offers this offseason but did not rule out returning to the Fever.
‘I love being here and I don’t think that’s news to anybody.’ the Missouri grad said. ‘Just being back in the Midwest, being around girls who you truly do love.
‘I had a great time here and I’d like to continue that.’