Sophie Cunningham tried to spark conversation when she said she wasn’t sure how excited players would be about new WNBA teams in Cleveland and Detroit. But WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman wasn’t having it. She urged Cunningham to learn from the players who lived the city experiences:

“You might want to talk to LeBron. You might want to talk to Grant Hill… You might want to talk to Julius and Chuck and Allen Iverson.” Lieberman told TMZ Sports, pointing out that these courts saw legends who called those cities home. 

That pushback is exactly the type of “you’re not the first” reality Sophie Cunningham needed. It’s one thing to talk off-court vibe, but Lieberman’s response is a reminder that city legacy matters, and ignoring that legacy leaves blind spots.

Despite the viral ripple, Sophie Cunningham has stood by her comments, saying she was pointing to Broadway-style excitement, not disrespect. But with someone like Lieberman dropping name-drops, it’s clear that comparison talk takes depth.

This moment isn’t just a back-and-forth. Sophie Cunningham is now involved in one of the league’s bigger culture tests: how to respect the past while shaping the future. When decisions get made, her comments and Lieberman’s response may end up in the footnotes of how WNBA expands.

In a league that’s putting professional decision-making in players’ hands, Sophie Cunningham is learning another lesson about doing your homework, respecting the legacy, and listening to the voices that echo in history. And Nancy dropped the textbook.

Sophie Cunningham may’ve stirred waves with her comments on Cleveland and Detroit, but New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud had something to say about another expansion spot.

When Philadelphia officially joined the WNBA expansion list, Natasha Cloud said it was long overdue:

“I’ve been advocating for a WNBA presence in Philadelphia since 2015… It’s reflection on the WNBA’s growth and the importance of equal investment.”

Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) and forward Aliyah Boston (7) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) celebrate during the first quarter against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

That backing helps counter Sophie Cunningham’s off-court “Broadway” splash, reminding fans the league’s momentum isn’t just about glitzy lifestyles, it’s also strategic, grounded, and fan-led.

Sophie Cunningham highlighted off-court appeal as a factor in expansion decisions but Cloud’s remark shifts the narrative to investment and representation in historic basketball cities.

Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) runs back up the court during the game against the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Now that Sophie Cunningham has brought lifestyle into the spotlight, Cloud’s quote redirects focus toward league growth and equal footing. With Sophie Cunningham’s comments sparking debate, Cloud’s perspective underscores that expansion is about atmosphere, legacy, balance, and purposeful building.

Cleveland, Detroit, and Philly are all learning the same lesson: Sophie Cunningham started the headline, but now the league’s real growth, and support voices like Cloud’s, are writing the follow-up.