WNBA’s sexiest star Sophie Cunningham sends brutal message about Caitlin Clark with Taylor Swift comparison as American sport’s bitchiest feud tips off again

In the midst of the WNBA’s growing controversy, Caitlin Clark has once again made headlines – this time not for her on-court skills, but for a shocking remark from Phoenix Mercury star Sophie Cunningham. In a recent interview, Cunningham did not hesitate to call Clark “the Taylor Swift of the WNBA” – a comparison that was both complimentary and deeply critical.

Cunningham initially emphasized that Caitlin Clark had brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA: “There’s no denying that she’s brought a whole new generation of fans to the league. Like Taylor Swift, everywhere Caitlin goes, she makes headlines.”

However, the next sentence sparked a wave of backlash: “But is all that spotlight really fair to the rest of us? There are so many other great players in this league who have been playing for the last 10 years that have never gotten the same attention.”

Cunningham’s statement immediately went viral on social media. Some supported her point of view, saying that the media was “too favorable” to Caitlin Clark and ignoring veteran names like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike. But a large group of others accused Cunningham of being jealous and lacking sportsmanship.

The hashtag **#TaylorSwiftOfWNBA** was trending on X (Twitter) within hours of Cunningham’s statement. One user wrote:
*”If Caitlin Clark is Taylor Swift, Cunningham is probably trying to be Kanye West.”*

Another fan commented:
*”Caitlin Clark brings revenue, audience, and energy to the entire league. Why does it matter if she gets attention? Let’s build each other up instead of tearing each other down.”*

As for Caitlin Clark, she has yet to publicly respond. However, in her most recent press conference after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Clark tactfully said:
*”I’m just focused on basketball. Everything else I leave on the court.”*

The short but cryptic answer is considered a subtle response to the rising storm.

Sports analyst Monica McNutt said:

“The problem is not Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham. The problem is that the WNBA needs to learn to embrace change. Clark’s popularity does not negate the efforts of others. But if veteran stars feel overshadowed, the league should make its message clear about fairness and equal recognition.”*

Comparing Caitlin Clark to Taylor Swift may be a way to acknowledge the enormous impact she has brought to the WNBA. But in the highly competitive environment of professional sports, such comparisons can also fracture relationships between teammates, fueling an underlying divide between “newcomers” and “old-timers.”

The question is: Can fame become a divisive trap? And can Caitlin Clark – even though she is only a rookie – overcome the dual pressures from both the media and her veteran teammates?