There is a common sentiment in sports media today that everyone doesn’t need to have a podcast. Unfortunately, it seems like everyone does these days, and a recent episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast was a reminder of why some people should be kept from the mic.
Longtime radio personality Colin Cowherd interviewed Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham for the latest episode of his show, when an awkward exchange led to the 62-year-old Cowherd crowning Cunningham the “sex symbol” of the WNBA.
During a conversation about her recent podcast shakeup, which included Cunningham denying claims that she split with her former co-host over a disagreement about transgender athletes in sports, Cowherd threw a wild curveball.
“You are kind of viewed a little bit as the league’s…ummm,” Cowherd said, before Cunninham interupted and urged the host to finish his thought. “Sex symbol,” he continued. “Is that fair? “You’re tough. You’ll fight anybody. You’ll taunt anybody. But you’ll make sure coming into the arena, ‘I look good, and I want you to know I look good.’”
MORE: Sophie Cunningham serves up bikini-biker chic look in final game before WNBA All-Star Break
Sophie Cunningham Responds To Colin Cowherd’s ‘Sex Symbol’ Label
While some listerners wished Cowherd wouldn’t have gone that direction, Cunningham didn’t seem to mind. Instead, she went along with the conversation and discussed the juxtaposition of being girly but still having the ability to “kick someone’s ass.”
She said, “For some reason, our society, if you play basketball, you can’t dress that way, or you can’t be girly. No one’s ever said it, but it’s like, they kind of feel that you can’t be both. Screw all that. Yes, you can. You can be girly, and you can go out and kick someone’s ass.”
Regardless of what you think about Cunningham’s politics, you can’t deny that she has been doing a great job at promoting herself. Cunningham has found a loyal fanbase, and Cowherd is obviously among those who are buying what she’s selling.
Aug 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) enters prior to a game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
It may not be for everyone, but it’s clearly working.
This season, Cunningham is averaging just 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for the 26-14 Fever, who return to the court in one week on Friday, September 18, following the league’s FIBA Women’s World Cup break.
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