Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked tension by insulting Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner during a podcast appearance ahead of their final regular-season game in Arizona on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
According to social media footage from Dirty Mo Media, Cunningham referred to Bonner as "Miss Priss" prior to the matchup.
>>> Dairy Queen Closes Three Alaska Restaurants Amid Nationwide Shutdowns
The comment intensifies an existing rivalry between the two teams.
The rivalry previously flared when Cunningham directed a finger-pointing gesture at Bonner during an on-court altercation last month.
That incident quickly became a viral cultural moment, with public figures such as John Cena, Tom Brady, and the White House sharing the image online.
Cunningham addressed her mindset regarding her viral fame during an appearance on James Corden's Fox Sports World Cup talk show.
"A little sassy sometimes," she said.
She explained to Corden and his panel that the gesture resulted from her mastering how to get inside the minds of her opponents, describing it as a strategic element within the sport.
The player later expanded on her brand growth during the July 9 episode of the Sons and Daughters podcast.
"I'm just embracing it and having fun. But I'm also someone who is not ignorant.
I know, if you use this platform, you can, once the ball stops bouncing, you're setting yourself for success," Cunningham said.
Cunningham highlighted the financial realities for female athletes, noting that current compensation structures necessitate long-term brand building for life after basketball.
