WNBA Expansion Plans Now Focus on Detroit, Cleveland

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked controversy by questioning the WNBA's decision to award new expansion teams to Detroit and Cleveland, suggesting alternative cities such as Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City might generate more excitement. Her comments drew strong responses from Detroit and Cleveland, who defended their histories of fan support for women's basketball and recent major sports event successes. Detroit specifically cited its high attendance during the Detroit Shock era and the large turnout for the 2024 NFL Draft. Cleveland's official response referenced positive remarks from Cunningham's teammate Caitlin Clark and addressed confusion between Cleveland and Cincinnati. The backlash included reactions from WNBA fans and sports commentators, who challenged Cunningham's perspective given her own team's location. The episode highlights the ongoing debate over the best markets for WNBA expansion and the importance of considering player and fan input in such decisions.