By Blessing 
Lions’ Star Claps Back After Fever Guard’s Shot at Detroit Sparks Unexpected Sports Beef
The city of Detroit may have just been dragged into an unexpected cross-sport clash, thanks to a few bold words and some hometown pride.
While the Indiana Fever are chasing playoff hopes midway through their WNBA season, the Detroit Lions are deep into preparations for a big 2025 campaign. On the surface, the two teams don’t seem to share much, but recent events have stirred up a little tension—and possibly lit a fire of rivalry between Indianapolis and Detroit.
It all began with comments made by Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever. The WNBA recently announced expansion plans that include welcoming three new franchises over the next few years: Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
When asked about those additions, Cunningham didn’t exactly hold back her feelings about some of the chosen cities.
“You want to listen to your players, too. Like, where do they want to play?” she said.
“Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans?… I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”
The statement didn’t go unnoticed. Unsurprisingly, fans and athletes from both cities took issue with Cunningham’s remarks. Cleveland Cavaliers players Donovan Mitchell and Tristan Thompson responded on social media, defending their city. But Detroit wasn’t about to stay quiet either.
Dan Skipper, offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, fired back with a response of his own on X (formerly Twitter):
“You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now.”
Skipper’s post sent a strong message—Detroit takes pride in its sports culture, and its athletes aren’t afraid to stand up for their city. The shot back from the NFL player quickly gained attention and added fuel to the ongoing conversation.
Meanwhile, the Fever had something to celebrate. On the court, they pulled off a statement win in the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 74–59. The win marked the Fever’s first-ever WNBA title—a huge milestone for the franchise.
Interestingly, the win came without Caitlin Clark, who’s arguably the face of the team and one of the league’s biggest stars. Instead, it was Sophie Cunningham—the same guard who stirred controversy off the court—who delivered when it mattered most.
Coming off the bench, Cunningham played a key role in the championship game, contributing 13 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. She was efficient and effective, going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and finishing with a +18 plus-minus.
Beyond the trophy, the Commissioner’s Cup win came with serious incentive: a $500,000 prize pool to be shared among the players. It’s the kind of motivation that turns a midseason game into a high-stakes battle.
Still, while the Fever celebrated on the court, the off-court drama surrounding Cunningham’s Detroit comments lingered. It’s not every day you see an NFL player publicly challenge a WNBA star, and it’s certainly not common for two franchises from different sports and cities to get caught in the same headline.
This mini-rivalry may not extend to any games or matchups, but the exchange highlights just how much pride athletes have in their home cities—and how quickly words can ripple across the sports world.
As the Fever push forward with their season and the Lions gear up for the fall, Detroit fans will likely remember Cunningham’s words—and Skipper’s sharp response.
After all, in a city where grit and loyalty run deep, Detroit doesn’t take disrespect lightly.