Sophie Cunningham knows exactly how to build a personal brand. Ever since her finger-pointing exchange with DeWanna Bonner became one of the WNBA’s biggest viral moments this season, the Indiana Fever guard has embraced the attention. She even recreated it with UFC star Max Holloway while attending UFC 329. However, five-time WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry believes there’s one thing Cunningham can’t afford to lose sight of.
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“Do what you got to do to market and merchandise on it. But at the same time, I will say don’t lose sight of the basketball,” McCoughtry said on the latest episode of Just Women’s Sports.
“I love that she’s going viral for other things, and we all are for W players doing things off the court, but I need them stats to stay on top. Let’s keep them stats going.”
Cunningham is currently holding the ship steady with her trademark energy while averaging 9.6 points per game and playing a major role in the Fever’s 14 wins this season. But this time, the headlines around her aren’t about what she’s doing during the 40 minutes on the court. They’re about a finger-pointing gesture that has taken on a life of its own.
After the Fever’s July 9 win over Phoenix, Cunningham recreated the gesture, before doing it again at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. And McCoughtry has no issue with that as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of her game.
“Long as it don’t mess up your game. Long as you here to focus and let’s win, and let’s stay on top of what we need to do. As long as it’s not a distraction to your game and the team, do what you got to do,” she added.
Now, for her part, the 29-year-old has never pretended to shy away from embracing the attention because she understands the value of a personal brand.
“There’s nothing that I did or do that lets me live this life; I’m just embracing it and having fun,” she said on the Sons and Daughters podcast. “But I’m also someone who is not ignorant. I know, if you use this platform, you can, once the ball stops bouncing, you’re setting yourself for success.”
“Players need to start doing that because we don’t make enough money,” Sophie Cunningham explained. “Even now, after the CBA, we don’t make enough money to retire and not do anything once we’re done.”
What she does and is doing is definitely a part of her competitive and sassy personality. But at the same time, she understands that players should use every opportunity to build a future beyond basketball.