Rodney Knuppel · The Sporting News Mon, November 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sophie Cunningham calls WNBA 3-point contest 'political' while revealing surprising Dancing with the Stars preference originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has never been shy about sharing her opinions, and her latest comments could generate another conversation around the WNBA.
During an episode of her No Hesitation podcast with co-host Drew Hanlen , Cunningham discussed the possibility of competing on Dancing with the Stars . The conversation eventually turned toward the WNBA's 3-point contest, an event she was not selected to participate in during the 2026 All-Star festivities.
Cunningham made it clear which competition she would rather win. Her answer also included criticism of how the WNBA chooses participants for its annual shooting competition.
Hanlen pointed out that Cunningham was among the league's most accurate 3-point shooters during the 2026 season but did not receive an invitation to the contest.
The Fever guard responded by describing the selection process as political, suggesting that shooting percentages do not necessarily determine who receives an opportunity.
Cunningham shot 41.9% from beyond the arc during the regular season, making her omission a legitimate subject for discussion. She averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 43 appearances while serving as an important contributor to Indiana's rotation.
Her comments were an opinion about the process, not evidence that the league deliberately excluded her for political reasons. Nevertheless, the remarks highlight a question that could interest fans: How much should statistical performance matter when selecting participants for the 3-point contest?
Cunningham also explained why she would prefer winning the popular television competition.
She believes success on the dance floor would depend more directly on her own preparation and performance, although she acknowledged that audience voting is part of the show.
The 30-year-old has previously expressed interest in appearing on Dancing with the Stars . One potential obstacle is the television program's production schedule, which can overlap with the WNBA season.
Cunningham has not announced that she has joined the show's cast, and her comments should not be interpreted as confirmation of an appearance.
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The conversation reflects how Cunningham's profile has expanded beyond her role with the Fever.
Her growing audience has created opportunities in entertainment and media, including her podcast, while keeping her connected to basketball fans interested in her future.
For now, Cunningham has not received the 3-point contest opportunity she wanted. But she has made her preference clear: If given the choice between winning that event and winning Dancing with the Stars , she would rather take home the television trophy.
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