Sophie Cunningham exposes Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s potential conflict of interest with Unrivaled and the WNBA Players Association, sparking massive debate across the WNBA world.
Sophie Cunningham Isn’t Holding Back—Again
When it comes to speaking her mind, Sophie Cunningham never bites her tongue. The Phoenix Mercury star jumped straight into the fire this week, saying what plenty of fans and insiders have been whispering for months — there’s a major conflict of interest at the top of the WNBA.
On the latest episode of her Show Me Something podcast, Cunningham called out Unrivaled co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart for also sitting on the WNBA Players Association’s executive committee. Both serve as vice presidents. Both have business interests in a competing league. And now, both are heavily involved in CBA negotiations with the WNBA itself.
That’s a tangled web — and Sophie just tore the curtain off it.
Sophie Drops the Truth Bomb
Cunningham didn’t mince words when she brought it up:
“Both Collier and Stewart — great effing players, right? Like phenomenal,” Sophie said with a grin. “But they are also part of the WNBA executive board. And so that could be a little conflict of interest because of the W and Unrivaled.”
Then she added, still smiling,
“That’s why there’s some conflict of interest a little bit. So that’s interesting.”
That’s Sophie’s polite way of saying what many are already thinking — you can’t be negotiating for one league while owning another that directly competes with it.
Why Fans Think It’s a Problem
The issue isn’t just about business titles. Unrivaled is no small-time side project. Founded by Collier and Stewart, it’s a player-driven 3v3 league offering paychecks that make WNBA salaries look tiny in comparison. That’s great for women’s basketball as a whole — competition means growth — but it also means these two stars have skin in both games.
They’re helping lead CBA talks with WNBA owners while running a league that could directly pull players, sponsors, and money away from the WNBA.
It’s like negotiating a new deal for your employer while running your own rival company. Even if the intentions are good, the optics are brutal.
The Bigger Picture: Money Talks
Unrivaled has quickly become a major disruptor in women’s basketball. The league pays big — really big — and it’s changing expectations across the sport. Players are realizing just how much more they could be earning.
Meanwhile, the WNBA is entering a critical phase with the next collective bargaining agreement on the horizon. How do you have fair negotiations when two of your most powerful voices also stand to gain from the rival product’s success?
That’s the heart of Sophie’s point — and it’s one that’s hard to argue against.
Sophie Once Again Becomes the Lone Voice
Cunningham’s willingness to say what others won’t isn’t new. She’s been one of the few active players who publicly supports Caitlin Clark and isn’t afraid to call out hypocrisy within the league.
While other players stay quiet, Sophie’s out there shining a spotlight on the awkward, messy truths that most would rather keep off-camera. Whether it’s defending Clark, questioning leadership decisions, or exposing uncomfortable realities — Sophie’s always the one taking the hit to tell it like it is.
This latest moment just adds to her growing reputation as the WNBA’s most outspoken straight-shooter.
Fans Are Split
Reaction online has been electric. Some fans are applauding Sophie for speaking up when no one else will. They say the WNBA needs transparency — not hush-hush politics behind closed doors. Others think she’s stirring unnecessary drama or trying to undercut fellow players.
But let’s be real — Sophie didn’t create this issue. She just pointed out what’s been hiding in plain sight.
League and Player Reactions
So far, neither Napheesa Collier nor Breanna Stewart has publicly addressed Cunningham’s comments. The WNBA Players Association hasn’t released any statement either. But as the league moves closer to CBA negotiations, this topic is going to hang over every meeting like a dark cloud.
Expect more players and analysts to weigh in soon. Once one person breaks the silence, it’s hard to put the conversation back in the box.
The WNBA’s Awkward Reality
The situation highlights an ongoing identity crisis for the WNBA. Players are pushing for financial freedom and new business models — which is great — but the league still has to protect its own ecosystem. When star players wear multiple hats, conflicts are bound to happen.
The irony? Everyone involved probably wants the same thing — better pay, more opportunities, and real respect for women’s basketball. But when those goals collide in competing directions, it gets complicated fast.
Sophie’s Message Is Clear
Cunningham’s not attacking Collier or Stewart personally. She even made it clear she respects their talent and leadership. What she is doing is calling attention to a structural problem — one that could undermine the WNBA’s credibility if it isn’t addressed openly.
And like she said herself, “That’s interesting.”
You can almost hear the sarcasm in her voice.
Conclusion: Sophie Said What Everyone Else Was Thinking
Love her or hate her, Sophie Cunningham is fearless. She said what needed to be said — that the WNBA’s leadership structure has a major conflict of interest brewing, and pretending it doesn’t exist won’t make it go away.
This could be a turning point moment for the league. Either the WNBA takes transparency seriously, or the lines between business, competition, and representation keep blurring until fans stop trusting the process altogether.
Either way, Sophie just made sure everyone’s watching.
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