{"id":691026,"date":"2026-06-08T04:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T04:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/691026\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T04:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T04:51:14","slug":"fernando-mendoza-gets-wnba-star-sophie-cunninghams-attention-as-raiders-qb-graduates-from-cal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/691026\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Mendoza Gets WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham\u2019s Attention As Raiders QB Graduates From Cal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is grabbing attention left and right, and Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham is among his latest admirers.<\/p>\n

The rookie signal-caller is having an exciting year, taking home the Heisman Trophy, winning a national championship, getting selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and now graduating.<\/p>\n

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza\u2019s Graduates and Sophie Cunningham Notices<\/p>\n

There are a lot of eyes on the Raiders rookie quarterback as he aims to turn around the franchise that has mostly been struggling in recent history. Recently, Mendoza took time away from Las Vegas\u2019 OTAs to graduate from University of California Berkeley\u2019s Haas School of Business.<\/p>\n

This caught the attention of Cunningham, who liked a post<\/a> about the young quarterback graduating from Cal with a bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration.<\/p>\n

\"Fernando<\/p>\n

Cunningham has become one of the WNBA\u2019s bigger stars as Caitlin Clark\u2019s close friend and teammate on the Fever. She is a key part of Indiana\u2019s core. The Fever are currently 5-5 after an 83-75 loss to the New York Liberty.<\/p>\n

As for Mendoza, the rookie will enter the 2026 NFL season as a qualified business administrator. Haas School of Business Dean Jenny Chatman announced the 22-year-old<\/a> at the MBA commencement.<\/p>\n

\n Take a Quick Break. Run a Mock Draft!
\n
Before you keep reading, jump into the shoes of the GM of your favorite team.\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind that I invited this person to our MBA commencement. He actually had a really good excuse for missing commencement,\u201d Chatman said. \u201cHe used his Haas skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package, but he wasn\u2019t able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job. Can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza!\u201d<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen if Mendoza will start for the Raiders, as they team also signed Kirk Cousins this offseason. Cousins knows head coach Klint Kubiak\u2019s system, so he can serve as an excellent mentor for the young QB. The Raiders are hoping to improve on their worst record in 11 years with Mendoza serving as the face of their franchise going forward.<\/p>\n

The front office has been hard at work trying to establish a sound foundation on offense. Las Vegas\u2019 primary weapons are running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers, so it remains to be seen how Mendoza will fare under center when he takes the reins this season.<\/p>\n

Last season, the Raiders had the 31st-ranked offense in the league according to PFSN\u2019s Offense Impact Score<\/a> with a 56.3 grade (only the Cleveland Browns were worse).<\/p>\n