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‘That In Insane,’ ‘No One Should Care About This’ – WNBA Fans Divided As Sophie Cunningham’s ‘Powerful’ Social Media Influence Surfaces

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham experienced a massive surge in Instagram followers during the 2026 season, reportedly outpacing the combined growth of the league's 49 other most-followed players and exceeding the growth of any NBA athlete. This spike in digital reach follows a series of events, including an on-court altercation with Jacy Sheldon in 2025 and the launch of a personal podcast, which helped her surpass established stars like A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu in popularity by late July.

Despite the increased public attention and the challenges of managing unwanted interactions, Cunningham maintains that she remains unchanged by the spotlight. She noted that the intensity of the scrutiny has forced her to adjust her daily routines to protect her personal well-being.

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