By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s Dan Skipper Fires Back After Indiana Guard Disses the Motor City
A Cross-Sport Clash Ignites
What began as a casual conversation about WNBA expansion turned into an unexpected war of words between professional athletes from two different leagues. Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper has taken center stage in defending his city after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham aimed some pointed criticism at potential WNBA expansion sites—most notably, Detroit.
The fallout? A fiery response from the Lions’ locker room and a growing rift between Detroit and Indiana sports circles.
Sophie Cunningham’s Comments Spark City-Wide Outrage
Cunningham didn’t mince words when addressing the WNBA’s future franchise locations. With Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia all set to join the league by 2030, the Indiana Fever guard questioned the decision.
“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].”
It didn’t take long for her comments to go viral—and draw the ire of both NBA and NFL players.
Dan Skipper Fires Back: “Pretty Good Place to Play”
Detroit Lions veteran Dan Skipper, never one to back down from a challenge, came to his city’s defense with a pointed response on social media. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Skipper wrote:
“You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now.”
e 6-foot-10 offensive lineman’s message hit hard, resonating with Detroit fans who felt disrespected by Cunningham’s remarks. For Skipper, a player who’s fought for every snap in the NFL, defending his city is just another battle—one he’s more than willing to fight.
Meanwhile, the Fever Celebrate—But Controversy Lingers
Ironically, while Cunningham’s comments stirred controversy, she delivered a strong on-court performance just hours later. With Caitlin Clark sidelined, Cunningham led the Fever to a 74–59 victory over the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final.
Cunningham posted 13 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, including three 3-pointers and a +18 plus-minus—contributing to Indiana’s first-ever Commissioner’s Cup title. The win also came with a $500,000 prize pool, giving the Fever a big midseason boost.
But even amid celebration, her earlier comments continue to overshadow the victory—especially in the eyes of Detroit’s athletes and fans.
Detroit’s Growing Spotlight
With the Lions riding high after a breakout 2024 NFL season and the city earning a WNBA franchise by 2029, Detroit is once again rising as a major sports destination. Skipper’s defense of the city was more than just a retort—it was a statement about what Detroit stands for: resilience, pride, and grit.
As the city prepares to welcome a WNBA team of its own in the coming years, don’t be surprised if Detroit’s newest franchise circles “Indiana Fever” on its future calendar.
Final Word
This wasn’t just a social media skirmish—it was a battle of perception, pride, and place. And Dan Skipper’s fiery defense made one thing ab
undantly clear: Detroit doesn’t take cheap shots lying down.