As media outlets continue to cover the social politics of the WNBA rather than the play on the court, Fox Sports journalist Kaylee McGhee White believes that Sophie Cunningham has the edge over her teammate Caitlin Clark when it comes to being a "role model."
In a recent interview, White declared that while Clark may be a better athlete than Cunningham, Cunningham is "definitely the better role model for young women." She believes that Clark's reluctant to get into political discussions while Cunningham is marks the difference between them.
“Maybe Caitlin Clark is the better athlete, but Sophie Cunningham is definitely the better role model for young women. It is not just about ‘women’s sports are for women.’ It is about whether we as a sex have our own right to our own individual spaces,” White said. “The reason you have success in this career is because you are a woman playing on a women’s team. That is not something to be ashamed of.”
“Part of me understands that people like Caitlin Clark don’t want to get involved in this debate because you look at what’s happening with Sophie. You look at the blowback, you look at the physical violence that she’s faced on the court, and you look at harassment. You almost understand why this is happening. But here’s what I want to say to Caitlin Clark: you’re already involved in this debate whether you like it or not.”
Clark and Cunningham
The two Indiana Fever teammates could hardly be more opposite of each other. Clark is a record-setting starter while Cunningham has mostly been a bench player who averages less than 10 points per game through her career. Clark is a three-time All-Star while Cunningham has never won an individual accolade in the WNBA. Clark tends to be more reserved while Cunningham is very outspoken.
Cunningham has become a rallying point in the ongoing social politics war on the transgender athletes debate. She made her stance clear in a July interview, immediately becoming the darling of people who support her side. Clark, meanwhile, wasn't interested in taking a side in the debate, which only seemed to make people more angry at her.
Ironically, the issue is a bit moot since there isn't currently a swath of transgender athletes actively trying to get into the WNBA in the first place.
