Sophie Cunningham's social media surge comes with stalkers, hired security
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham added roughly 2.9 million Instagram followers during the 2026 season, according to a New York Post report cited by Yahoo Sports — a gain that outpaced every NBA star over the same period and dwarfed the combined follower growth of dozens of other WNBA players. Much of the attention stems from her public comments in July about transgender athletes in women's sports, which sparked widespread debate. The attention has not all been welcome: Cunningham told podcast hosts that the FBI is tracking roughly 20 individuals who are stalking her, and one man was arrested on felony stalking and intimidation charges after delivering a package to her arena. As a result, the 30-year-old free agent now travels with around-the-clock personal security and says she is unable to move freely in many cities she visits.
We do have a lot of stalkers, I know I do… And thats' the negative side of things that people don't think about,
Why it matters
For brands: Brands partnering with high-profile athletes should be aware that polarizing public statements can dramatically shift an athlete's audience and risk profile.
For athletes: Pro athletes with large public profiles may face serious personal safety risks as a byproduct of viral fame, illustrating the need for security planning.
Read the full story at Yahoo Sports
Sources
- Yahoo Sports: Sophie Cunningham’s Viral Rise Brings Real Danger To The Court