USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Sophie Cunningham has become one of the biggest basketball superstars in the past year.
This season, she found herself in the spotlight after becoming a viral meme and being involved in mainstream debates about trans athletes in sports.
Cunningham has gotten so famous that she’s hired 24/7 security so that she doesn’t get mobbed by people when she’s out in public.
Via No Hesitation Podcast
“I’ll say, I was already starting to get recognized in certain places, so I couldn’t really go anywhere freely. Now it doesn’t matter what state or city I’m in—it’s everywhere. I’ve hired security, and starting next week they’ll be traveling with me 24/7. It’s a little different and it does interrupt your regular routine. You have to find a balance: making sure you get away and fill up your own cup so that when you’re out, you can give people your best energy. That’s really important to me—just being nice, staying positive, and treating people the way I’d want to be treated.”
Cunningham’s social media presence has exploded this season. According to sports marketing expert Brendan Kaminsky, the Indiana Fever star has gained more followers than every top NBA player.
Just how powerful has Sophie Cunningham’s social media influence been? She gained more Instagram followers this season than the other 49 most-followed WNBA players COMBINED… and more than ANY NBA player. https://t.co/hJHsrwuEvb
— Brendan Kaminsky (@BKaminsky) November 3, 2026
While Cunningham’s off the court success has been huge, she’s currently facing free agency in the WNBA, and it’s currently unclear if she’ll return to the Indiana Fever next season.