WNBA player Sophie Cunningham sparked debate during the 2026 Winter Olympics by questioning why curling is considered an Olympic sport. On her Show Me Something podcast, Cunningham openly showed uncertainty about how curling fits the definition of an Olympic sport, despite acknowledging the skill of the athletes involved. She shared her doubts about what criteria determine a sport’s inclusion in the Olympics and wondered who makes these decisions.
“I don’t understand the curling. I don’t understand—what makes something first, a sport, and not a hobby? And second, who qualifies it as an Olympic Sport?”
Cunningham asked. She clarified that her comments are not intended to undermine the competitors, recognizing their talents while remaining perplexed about curling’s Olympic status.
“And I’m not discrediting these athletes because I know I couldn’t do what they’re doing,”
she said.
“But I just like, I watch some of these things, and I’m like, okay, how or like why?”
Current Status of Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA Career and Free Agency
Aside from her Olympic commentary, Sophie Cunningham is currently navigating free agency in the WNBA for the first time as an unrestricted free agent. Having completed her inaugural season with the Indiana Fever, she is considering various options, including the possibility of re-signing with the Fever. Prior to joining Indiana, Cunningham played six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft after a distinguished collegiate career at Missouri.
Cunningham’s time in college was notable, earning First-team All-SEC honors every year from 2017 through 2019 and receiving the SEC Freshman of the Year award in 2016. In 2025, she became a key player stepping up for injured Fever stars like Caitlin Clark but suffered a season-ending injury during a game against the Connecticut Sun on August 17, 2025.
Implications of Cunningham’s Views and the Road Ahead
Sophie Cunningham’s questions about curling’s place in the Olympic program highlight a broader conversation about what defines an Olympic sport and the evaluation process behind such choices. Her reflections may encourage discussions among sports fans and officials alike regarding the balance between tradition, popularity, and athletic rigor in Olympic selections. Meanwhile, as Cunningham decides the next phase of her professional basketball career, her comments reveal a candid, thoughtful perspective on sports and competition during a period of personal transition.
