#692 - Sophie Cunningham
Episode of This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von · October 28, 2026 · 1 h 38 min
Theo Von talks with Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham about WNBA growth, media-driven drama, player pay, the commissioner, stalkers, her faith, and on-court rivalries.
Summary
Comedian Theo Von hosted Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, in town for a race weekend after the Fever's playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Cunningham described growing up in a Missouri sports family, playing at Mizzou with her sister Lindsey, and knowing from age three or four she would be a professional athlete. She recounted being hit by a sex toy thrown onto the court in Los Angeles and being struck in the nose by a bag during an airport crowd incident involving Brittney Griner, whom she defended as down-to-earth.
Cunningham said the WNBA had changed "night and day" since she entered the league, crediting the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese class with bringing a college audience, TV exposure, private flights and security. She discussed an alleged stalker whose bail reduction was denied, and argued the league needed a commissioner with a backbone who communicates with players, praising Adam Silver and criticizing Cathy Engelbert for skipping media appearances. She contended that about 90% of WNBA drama is invented by the media, which motivated her to launch the No Hesi podcast with Drew Hanlon focused on real basketball analysis.
On pay, Cunningham said she made about $28,000 after taxes as a rookie and that players historically went overseas or took side jobs, while the new collective bargaining agreement now provides substantial salaries and full base pay during maternity leave. She discussed her viral pointing incident, her ring-girl cameo at a UFC event at Dana White's invitation, her support for the national anthem out of respect for the military, her non-denominational Christian faith, and her offseason plans in the new Project B league in China, Singapore, Spain and Germany.
Chapters
- 0:00
Season's end and WNBA off-court drama
Theo and Cunningham discuss the Fever's playoff loss to Las Vegas, relationships among players, and the dildo-throwing incidents.
- 9:00
Missouri upbringing and early basketball
Cunningham describes her athletic family, Mizzou career with her sister, and knowing early she would be a pro athlete.
- 21:42
League growth, travel and security
Cunningham explains how the WNBA transformed in exposure and resources, and recounts an airport incident with Brittney Griner.
- 31:10
Stalkers and attendance growth
Cunningham discusses stalkers including one jailed man, and Fever attendance figures are reviewed.
- 41:01
The commissioner and leadership
Cunningham calls for a commissioner with a backbone and open communication, reacting to Cathy Engelbert's canceled Dan Patrick interview.
- 51:07
Media-made drama and No Hesi podcast
Cunningham argues most WNBA drama is invented and explains her new basketball-focused podcast.
- 56:03
Rivalries, referees and the famous point
Cunningham breaks down a hard foul, criticizes officiating, and explains her viral pointing moment.
- 1:03:39
Player pay, side jobs and overseas play
Cunningham compares NBA and WNBA salaries, her rookie earnings, overseas play, and the new Project B league.
- 1:11:48
UFC ring-girl cameo
Cunningham recalls attending her first UFC event and working as a ring girl at Dana White's invitation.
- 1:15:39
National anthem and team stances
Cunningham explains standing for the anthem to honor veterans and argues rivalries are healthy.
- 1:21:31
Faith
Cunningham discusses her Christian faith, prayer, and seeing a revival among athletes.
- 1:27:15
Dating, motherhood and offseason plans
The two discuss Love Island, pregnancy and maternity pay under the CBA, dating athletes, and her Project B travel.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said that in her early years the WNBA lacked TV deals and her parents struggled to watch games through an app.
“I remember like my first three or four years, like my parents had to like download some weird app”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham credited the draft class of Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink and Angel Reese with bringing their college audiences into the WNBA and causing its growth.
“They had the audience from college and they brought it into the W and now it's just exploded”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said that during her first five years the team had no security, recalling a Brittney Griner airport swarming in which she was hit by a bag.
“All they know is like, you have security. My first five years we had zero security”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said greater visibility has brought stalkers and that she believes the FBI is monitoring around 20 people regarding her.
“I think 20, I think people kind of that the FBI are watching for me, me alone”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham argued the WNBA needs a commissioner with a backbone who holds the standard, modeled on Adam Silver's relationship with NBA players.
“Like we need someone to come in here who has a backbone, um, who's going to stick to, you know, what they do and hold the standard”
Listen from 42:19 · Cathy Engelbert's tenure as WNBA commissioner
Linked moment · 44:02Skip to 44:02 using a listen link in the info box.
Sophie CunninghamCunningham said the outgoing commissioner did not communicate with players.
“Like, I don't know her. Like, I don't talk to, she doesn't talk to any of us. So how would we know?”
Listen from 44:02 · Cathy Engelbert's tenure as WNBA commissioner
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham criticized the league leadership for declining interviews when the media finally wanted to cover the WNBA.
“I just don't understand that point of you're denying an interview, but people are wanting to talk to us finally”
Listen from 46:30 · Cathy Engelbert's tenure as WNBA commissioner
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she started No Hesi with Drew Hanlon to provide real basketball analysis instead of clickbait.
“So like, why can't we just have like real basketball journalism? So that's what I'm here for”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham contrasted WNBA coverage with NBA, NFL and MLB coverage, which she said focuses on stats and real stories rather than drama.
“NBA, NFL, MLB, they don't have the drama. And like their people are actually covering stats in sports and like good stories”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham claimed that about 90% of reported WNBA drama is fabricated by the media.
“I'm telling you, 90% of WNBA drama is made up shit”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said WNBA referees are poor and let petty play go unpunished in the game where she committed a hard foul.
“The refs. Our refs are horrible”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she earned about $28,000 after taxes as a rookie, prompting her to seek other income.
“My rookie year, after taxes and everything, I think I made like $28,000”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said players previously held second jobs, but the new CBA means they now make good money.
“now because of our new CBA agreement, which is great, it's going to continue to get better. Like we're all making good money now”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she stopped playing overseas because endorsements and broadcasting paid more.
“I stopped going and playing overseas because I was making more money in marketing agreements”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she stands for the anthem to honor veterans and service members and is proud to be American.
“any time that I can. Shout out our veterans and the people who are currently, you know, fighting for us to live in the best country”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham argued rivalries in women's sports are healthy and that women shouldn't be held to a different standard than men.
“Like it's okay to be a female and compete and yeah. Have rivalries and it's like, it's okay. That's what sports is”
Listen from 1:18:47 · Women's National Basketball Association
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said her faith keeps her stable amid praise and criticism because she does not live for others' approval.
“I rely a lot on my faith because of what I do for a living. Um, you get a lot of hate, you get a lot of praise”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she sees a religious revival with more athletes publicly professing faith.
“I do love that there's more and more people coming out that they are Christians and that they are believers. And I feel like there's a revival happening”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said pregnant players could previously face being cut, but under the new CBA they receive full base salary on maternity leave.
“but now in our new CBA, now you receive a hundred percent of our base salary”
- Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham said she will play in the new Project B offseason league in China, Singapore, Spain and Germany.
“We'll be over in China, Singapore, Spain, Germany. I think that's it. I think it's only four countries”
People
In the conversation
- Theo VonAmerican stand-up comedian and host of the podcast This Past Weekend
- Sophie CunninghamWNBA player praised by the hosts
Discussed
- Brittney GrinerWNBA player detained in Russia on cannabis charges
- Diana TaurasiRetired WNBA star omitted from the league's anniversary poster
- Cathy EngelbertWNBA commissioner described as stepping down
- Adam SilverCommissioner of the NBA
- Caitlin ClarkWNBA player
- Dan PatrickLieutenant Governor of Texas who backed state ibogaine funding
- Dana WhitePresident and CEO of the UFC
- Drew HanlonBasketball skills trainer and Cunningham's No Hesi co-host
- Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever guard noted for salary and pursuing a doctorate
- Aliyah BostonIndiana Fever forward named by Theo Von as a favorite player
- Marina MabreyWNBA guard for the Toronto Tempo
- Liz CambageFormer WNBA All-Star who launched an OnlyFans account
Topics
- Women's National Basketball Association
- Indiana Fever
- WNBA collective bargaining agreement
- Media coverage of the WNBA
- Cathy Engelbert's tenure as WNBA commissioner
- Stalking of athletes
- Christianity
- No Hesi (podcast)
- Project B (basketball league)
- National anthem protests
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Maternity policy in women's sports
- Caitlin Clark
- OnlyFans
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From the publisher
Sophie Cunningham is a professional basketball player in the WNBA. She also hosts her own podcast “No Hesitation”. Sophie joins Theo to talk about real vs. fake drama in the WNBA, how she developed her unique persona in the league, and the fight to get players paid more. Sophie Cunningham: https://www.instagram.com/sophie_cham/ ------------------------------------------------- Tour Dates! https://theovon.com/tour New Merch: https://www.theovonstore.com ------------------------------------------------- Sponsored By: Celsius: Go to the Celsius Amazon store to check out all of their flavors. #CELSIUSBrandPartner @CelsiusOfficial https://amzn.to/3HbAtPJ Prize Picks: Go to https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/TPW and use code: TPW Morgan and Morgan: Visit https://forthepeople.com/THEO to see if you might have a case. Morgan and Morgan. America's Largest Injury Law Firm. Shopify: Take control of your income. Start your free trial at http://shopify.com/theo ------------------------------------------------- Music: “Shine” by Bishop Gunn Bishop Gunn - Shine ------------------------------------------------ Submit your funny videos, TikToks, questions and topics you'd like to hear on the podcast to: tpwproducer@gmail.com Hit the Hotline: 985-664-9503 Video Hotline for Theo Upload here: https://www.theovon.com/fan-upload Mail stuff to: ATTN: TPW PO BOX 40137 Nashville TN 37204 ------------------------------------------------ Find Theo: Website: https://theovon.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/theovon Facebook: https://facebook.com/theovon Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thispastweekend X: https://twitter.com/theovon YouTube: https://youtube.com/theovon Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoVonClips Shorts Channel: https://bit.ly/3ClUj8z ------------------------------------------------ Producer: Zach https://www.instagram.com/zachdpowers Producer: Trevyn https://www.instagram.com/trevyn.s/ Producer: Nick https://www.instagram.com/realnickdavis/ Producer…
Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on October 31, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.