Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent remarks about Detroit and Cleveland being unappealing cities for potential WNBA expansion have sparked major backlash — especially from Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper.
Cunningham suggested cities like Miami and Nashville would make better destinations for a WNBA team, implying Detroit lacked excitement and appeal. That didn’t sit well with Skipper, who quickly defended his city on social media.
“You ever been there? Pretty good place to play, well not for you now,” Skipper wrote in a pointed response on X (formerly Twitter).
The exchange ignited a wider discussion about how some cities are unfairly labeled as unattractive in the sports world, despite having fiercely loyal fan bases. Detroit, known for its passionate sports community, has a long history of supporting teams through ups and downs — something Skipper and many locals take pride in.
Cunningham’s comments highlight ongoing perceptions about cities like Detroit, but reactions like Skipper’s show how quickly athletes will rally to defend their home turf. The incident serves as a reminder of the deep connections between athletes, their cities, and the fans who support them.
Detroit Lions’ Dan Skipper Fires Back at Sophie Cunningham Over Detroit Comments
